Kidneys Removed in Botched Uterus Surgery: ED Probes Fake Doctor’s Role

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) charged Pawan Kumar and his assistant, Ravindra Kumar, alias R K Singh, with illegal organ removal and money laundering in a shocking medical fraud case. The agency filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on June 17 before a special court in Patna, which acknowledged it on July 17, advancing efforts to curb organ trafficking and medical malpractice in India.

How It Came to Light

The ED’s Patna zonal office launched its investigation following a Muzaffarpur police FIR under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994.

Sunita Devi, accompanied by her mother, Tetari Devi, visited Shubhkant Clinic in Muzaffarpur, seeking treatment for uterine issues.

Pawan Kumar, the clinic’s operator, and Ravindra Kumar, a fake doctor, recommended surgery for her allegedly damaged uterus, demanding Rs. 20,000. During the illegal organ removal procedure, they removed both of Sunita Devi’s kidneys and her uterus, falsely claiming only the uterus and tumors were removed.

Tragic Outcome and Financial Fraud

Post-surgery, Sunita’s health rapidly declined as she stopped urinating. Medical examinations confirmed the absence of both kidneys, leading to her death. The ED uncovered that the duo extorted an additional Rs. 40,000 from Sunita’s family at another hospital, totaling Rs. 60,000 in proceeds of crime (POC). The agency alleges Pawan Kumar and Ravindra Kumar conspired to commit this medical fraud, using illicit funds for personal gain, exploiting vulnerable patients.

Legal Consequences

In a related police case, a Patna special court under the SC/ST Act convicted Pawan Kumar, while Ravindra Kumar awaits trial. This illegal organ removal case highlights the dangers of unqualified practitioners in unregulated clinics. India’s healthcare system faces challenges with quack doctors, with thousands of illegal clinics operating nationwide, according to recent studies. The ED’s crackdown aligns with broader efforts to address organ trafficking, which affects vulnerable communities disproportionately.

Similar Cases

Multiple organ‐trafficking scandals in India share chilling similarities with the Muzaffarpur uterus surgery tragedy. In Meerut, a woman’s kidney was allegedly removed without her knowledge during a routine procedure in January 2025. Authorities charged hospital executives under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act after she reported post‑operative complications and renal failure.

In Pune, a broader racket emerged from 2022 to 2024. The suspended head of the organ transplant authorization committee allegedly approved ten kidney swap surgeries using forged documents, fictitious donors, and false familial ties. Investigations uncovered suspicious payments, doctored identities, and systemic breaches in hospital oversight.

Meanwhile in Kolkata, in July 2025, a lawyer was arrested for facilitating forged affidavits as part of an inter‑state kidney trafficking operation dating back to 2014. Police allege he charged bribes to process fraudulent documents, enabling brokers to carry out illicit transplants and exploit poor donors.

Authorities continue investigating similar cases to dismantle illegal organ trade networks and ensure justice for victims like Sunita Devi.

(Rh/Eth/PB/MSM/SE)