Chandrapur, Maharashtra: A Delhi based doctor accused in a multi state kidney trafficking racket failed to appear before the Chandrapur Chief Judicial Magistrate court on Friday, despite clear directions issued while granting him interim bail. The absence has raised concerns among investigators as the case continues to draw national attention.
The accused, Dr Ravinder Pal Singh, was expected to present himself before the court on January 2. Instead, only his lawyer appeared and sought more time on his behalf. The court granted a one day extension of interim bail and scheduled the matter for the following day. The magistrate also directed Chandrapur police to place their submissions on record.
Police detained Dr Singh in Delhi on December 29 during a coordinated operation linked to the kidney racket investigation. As the police team could not return immediately due to flight cancellations, they produced him before a Delhi court for transit remand.
The Delhi court granted interim bail with a strict condition that the doctor must appear before the Chandrapur court on the specified date. His failure to comply has now placed his bail status under scrutiny as police continue to pursue custodial interrogation.
Investigators have booked Dr Singh along with Dr Rajratnam Govindaswamy, the managing director of a private hospital in Trichy, under Sections 18 and 19 of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994. These provisions deal with illegal removal of organs and commercial transactions involving human organs.
While Dr Singh has been briefly detained and is currently on interim bail, Dr Govindaswamy remains untraceable. Police sources confirmed that the Trichy based doctor has approached the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court seeking interim transit bail. Authorities believe he played a key role in facilitating illegal transplants and donor arrangements.
The case came to light following the ordeal of Roshan Kule, a marginal farmer from Minthur village in Nagbhid taluka of Chandrapur district. Burdened by debt, Kule allegedly sold one of his kidneys after falling into a financial trap created by illegal moneylenders.
What began as a loan of around one lakh rupees reportedly ballooned to nearly 74 lakh rupees due to exorbitant interest rates. Even after selling land, vehicles, and household assets, Kule could not escape the debt. His decision to sell his kidney has shocked the region and triggered public outrage.
Farmer organisations and social activists have announced a Jan Akrosh Morcha from Minthur to the Nagbhid tehsil office. The protest will be led by farmer leader and former minister Bacchu Kadu, along with representatives from various social groups.
(Rh/ARC)
