Police arrested 37-year-old Shankar Khatri of Mahalakshmi Municipality-8, Luvhu, on August 25 and 42-year-old Shantimaya Ghalan of Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-2, Makwanpur District, on August 27 for the trafficking of a 28-year-old person , according to Naresh Raj Subedi, spokesman and SP of Police Range Jawalakhel.
SP and spokesperson of the Anti-Human Trafficking Bureau, Gautam Mishra, stated that the accused lured the victim to India, where his kidney was removed under the pretence of an offer of Rs 1 Lakh.
“Humans have two kidneys. If one is removed, the other continues to function without any issues. They were persuaded by claiming that giving a kidney would be a virtuous act,” stated SP Mishra.
They are accused of taking the victim to Kolkata via a land route and removing the kidney there after conducting a health checkup in Kathmandu. The victim stated that even after reaching Kolkata and refusing to give the kidney, they continued to offer inducements and also issued threats.
According to the police, it was revealed that for the kidney transplant, a donor must be a member of the same family, and to meet this requirement, they forged citizenship and relationship certificates. The victim stated that different people were used to transport him from Nepal to India, and although he was promised Rs 10 lakh, he did not receive the money as claimed.
Aggrieved party filed a complaint on 9 August 2024 at Metropolitan Police Circle , Satdobato alleging that the kidney was removed after being taken to Kolkata on April 11, 2024. Following the investigation, the police arrested the accused.
Professor Dr. Ravi Shakya, Director of the hospital, informed that the health examination of the victim was conducted at Patan Hospital on August 9, 2024.
SP Mishra stated that the Kathmandu District Court has granted a 9 day extension for the investigation into the crime of human trafficking against the accused.