Kerala Organ Trafficking Probe Reveals Donors Sent to Tajikistan Along With Iran, NIA Tells Court

Kochi – December 18, 2025 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered new and troubling details in the Kerala organ trafficking case, revealing that the network involved had sent kidney donors not only to Iran but also to Tajikistan for illegal organ transplants. The information came to light during the agency’s ongoing investigation into the racket, which allegedly targeted financially vulnerable individuals across India. According to the NIA, two persons from Odisha were taken to Tajikistan earlier this year, where their kidneys were transplanted into wealthy recipients through illegal means. This disclosure was made in an affidavit submitted before a special NIA court in Kochi while seeking further custody of the main accused, Madhu Jayakumar, a resident of Palarivattom in Kochi. The case first surfaced on May 18, 2024, when immigration officials at Kochi airport intercepted a man named Sabith. He was suspected of being part of an organised organ trafficking network that arranged overseas travel for illegal kidney transplants. This interception led to a wider investigation, exposing a complex network operating across states and international borders. During the probe, the NIA arrested Sajith and Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, a native of Vijayawada. Investigators found that the duo played a key role in arranging travel for both donors and recipients to hospitals in Iran, where illegal kidney transplant surgeries were carried out. The investigation later pointed to Jayakumar as a central figure in the operation. Jayakumar had been absconding for over a year before he was arrested by the NIA upon his arrival at New Delhi airport on November 7, 2025. Following his arrest, he was taken into custody and questioned extensively by the agency. In its affidavit, the NIA stated that during interrogation, Jayakumar disclosed the names of 27 recipients who underwent kidney transplants in Iran with his help. He also revealed the identities of 11 donors involved in the illegal procedures. These disclosures helped investigators expand the scope of the case and identify additional victims and beneficiaries linked to the racket. The agency further informed the court that even after the case was registered in Kerala, the illegal operations continued. In 2025, two donors from Odisha were allegedly sent to Tajikistan, where their kidneys were transplanted for rich recipients through the accused. The NIA said this showed the organised and ongoing nature of the crime. The NIA has also raised serious concerns about the financial trail linked to the organ trade. According to the agency, Jayakumar earned large sums of money through illegal kidney transactions, which were routed through his health club, Stemma Club, and multiple bank accounts. The money was later converted into cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and USDT, making it harder to trace. The agency told the court that further custodial interrogation was necessary to track these cryptocurrency transactions and uncover the full extent of the financial network behind the illegal trade. It also said Jayakumar needed to be confronted with bank statements, photographs, and videos recovered from the mobile phones of other accused during digital and social media analysis. Stemma Club, founded by Jayakumar, was allegedly used as a front to mask illegal activities connected to organ trafficking. Investigators are also trying to identify Jayakumar’s links with other kidney racketeers operating within and outside the country. While Jayakumar’s lawyer opposed the NIA’s request for more custody, arguing that he had already been questioned for seven days, the court noted the seriousness of the crime. The judge observed that detailed and thorough questioning was essential to uncover all aspects of the case, given the new disclosures. The NIA court granted the agency three more days of custody on December 15. Jayakumar remains in NIA custody, which is set to end at 11 am on Thursday. Sources said efforts are underway to trace the two donors from Odisha who were sent to Tajikistan. The NIA has already tracked several donors and recipients from different parts of India even before Jayakumar’s arrest. The newly identified individuals are now being traced, and their statements will be recorded as witnesses. According to the NIA’s chargesheet, donors from poor financial backgrounds were lured with promises of large payments. However, once taken to Iran, their passports were allegedly seized, and the promised money was often not paid. The investigation continues as authorities work to dismantle the network and bring all those involved to Kerala Organ Trafficking Probe Reveals Donors Sent to Tajikistan Along With Iran, NIA Tells Court The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered fresh details in the Kerala organ trafficking case, revealing that the network involved did not limit its illegal activities to Iran alone. According to the agency, two kidney donors from Odisha were also sent to Tajikistan in 2025, where their organs were transplanted into wealthy recipients through illegal means. The information was shared in an affidavit filed by the NIA before a special court in Kochi while seeking further custody of the main accused, Madhu Jayakumar, a resident of Palarivattom. The case first came to light in May 2024 when a man named Sabith was stopped by immigration officials at Kochi airport on suspicion of being part of an organised organ trafficking racket. Further investigation led to the arrest of Sajith and Bellamkonda Ram Prasad, who were found to have arranged travel for donors and recipients to hospitals in Iran for illegal kidney transplants. Jayakumar, believed to be a key figure in the network, was absconding for over a year before being arrested at New Delhi airport in November 2025. During questioning, Jayakumar reportedly revealed the names of 27 recipients who underwent kidney transplants in Iran and 11 donors involved in the illegal procedures. The NIA told the court that large sums earned through the illegal organ trade were routed through Jayakumar’s health club, Stemma Club, and multiple bank accounts. The money was later converted into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and USDT. The agency is now working to trace the financial trail, identify links with other racketeers, and locate additional donors and recipients. The court has granted the NIA three more days of custody, citing the serious nature of the crime. The case has once again highlighted how vulnerable people are exploited with false promises, raising urgent concerns about illegal organ trafficking networks operating across borders.