The investigation into Kerala's alleged organ trade racket has widened beyond arrests, with police and health authorities now examining how forged documents, hospital procedures and possible trafficking networks allowed illegal transplants to continue undetected.
Investigators suspect the network operated across several districts for years using fake kinship certificates, forged government records and fabricated approvals to bypass transplant rules. Police are also examining whether surgeries linked to the racket were carried out inside Kerala hospitals with inadequate scrutiny.
Authorities said at least 20 people are suspected to have undergone transplants through the network.
Hospitals and transplant approvals under scanner
A major focus of the probe is whether private hospitals and intermediaries failed to properly verify donor-recipient relationships before surgeries were approved.
Kerala State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (KSOTTO), which oversees transplant procedures, has indicated that some hospitals may have facilitated donations from unrelated donors in violation of regulations. Officials said the current system relies heavily on reports submitted by hospitals, with limited mechanisms to independently verify whether mandatory approvals were obtained.
Investigators are now re-examining multiple transplant cases suspected to have used forged records. Police are also studying hospital-level scrutiny, transplant clearances and authorisation committee approvals.
The Directorate of Medical Education is expected to receive a detailed police report on the methods used in the alleged fraud and the safeguards needed to prevent similar cases.
Forged documents and fake identities
Police said the racket allegedly depended on an organised forgery network that created fake Aadhaar cards, affidavits, recommendation letters and fabricated kinship records to portray donors and recipients as relatives.
Investigators suspect forged seals and signatures of public officials, doctors and government departments were used to secure approvals. They are also examining allegations that fake phone numbers were created in the names of officials to manipulate verification calls from authorisation panels.
Searches at studios and communication centres near Kizhakkambalam reportedly led to the seizure of forged certificates, fake seals and counterfeit hospital documents.
Money trail and possible trafficking links
Police suspect financially vulnerable people were recruited as donors with promises of payments ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, while recipients may have paid far higher amounts.
The investigation is also examining possible human trafficking and interstate or international links connected to the network. Mohammed Najeeb's foreign travel records, mobile phone, passport and financial transactions are under scrutiny.
Officials said a Special Investigation Team is likely to examine wider syndicate operations, including middlemen, document handlers and possible overseas connections linked to transplant procedures.