MillenniumPost
Delhi

Nephrologist Sarin’s role under scrutiny

The Delhi Police have issued notices to four doctors of the Hospital Internal Authorization Committee and to other staff members of the Indraprastha Apollo hospital to join the probe in connection to the kidney trade racket. Three out of four committee members are from the Apollo hospital. Their names have not been disclosed by the police.

The committee consists of six to seven members including the doctors of the hospital, independent staff and government doctors. Their job is to verify the documents, willingness of the donors, relationship of the donor to the respective recipients as well as proof of address/identification, proof of marriage and the marriage photograph. 

According to senior officials, “The committee was not investigating them properly and as a result, the touts were providing fake documents that were easily approved by them. It was either a conspiracy or an act of negligence by the committee members. Either way, the members are at fault and are liable to be booked for the crime.”

After questioning two secretaries of  Dr. Ashok Sarin, a senior nephrologist at Indraprastha Apollo hospital, the Delhi police are now waiting for Sarin to return to India. His role in the kidney trade racket, that was uncovered on Thursday, is yet to be ascertained.

After the police exposed the racket, five people including three touts and two secretaries were arrested. The police moved on to interrogate those who were arrested as well as some members of the hospital staff. The role of Ashok Sarin in these investigations cannot be ruled out. Speaking to the Millennium Post, a senior police official requesting anonymity said: “Before exposing the racket, Sarin went to US on the claim that he had several surgeries to conduct. He is likely to return on June 9. His mobile phone is switched off but he has been officially informed via e-mail about the arrests of his staff members. So far, there has been no response from his email id.” 

He also stated that before Sarin returns; a special was formed that is currently examining all the documents that were taken in possession from the custody of the arrested as well as recipients, donors and the hospital. 

Meanwhile, some fresh names of a few doctors have also cropped up in the investigation. But before sending notices to Sarin and other doctors, the team is collecting all the necessary evidence to issue the appropriate notice.

 “In five specific cases, where the kidney was transplanted illegally, several loopholes have been found that clearly indicate either negligence or conspiracy by the committee. The team will access the video where the kidneys were legally transplanted as well to ascertain more evidence.” the source added.
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