Written by Ankita DeshkarNagpur | January 1, 2026 03:55 PM IST 3 min readAn SIT and Local Crime Branch personnel were dispatched to detain the two doctors in New Delhi and Trichy. (File photo)The Maharashtra Police Wedneday said they uncovered a pan-India kidney transplant racket based out of a Tamil Nadu hospital with alleged links to Cambodia. The racket emerged during an investigation into a money-lending case involving a dairy farmer from Chandrapur, Roshan Kule, who alleged that he was forced to sell a kidney in Cambodia to escape from loan sharks.Mummaka Sudarshan, Superintendent of Police (SP), Chandrapur, said they have identified two doctors, Dr Ravinder Pal Singh of New Delhi and Dr Rajaratnam Govindswamy, managing director of Star Kims Hospital in Trichy in Tamil Nadu, as key players in the network.A Special Investigation Team (SIT) and Local Crime Branch (LCB) personnel were dispatched to detain the two doctors in New Delhi and Trichy after their names cropped up during the probe, he added. The police said the investigation revealed that the illegal transplants were also being carried out in India.Earlier, the police arrested the main accused, Ramkrishna Sanchu alias Dr Krishna, who is not a doctor but allegedly posed as one, and his associate Himanshu Bharadwaj. The police said they found during the interrogation that both Krishna and Himanshu were kidney donors themselves and had sold their kidneys due to financial difficulties.Must Read | ‘Told her she was sick’: Bengal man tried to sell wife’s kidney for Rs 11 lakh, held along with 3 othersBharadwaj allegedly contacted Dr Krisha through social media and was later taken to Star Kims Hospital in Trichy, where the kidney transplant procedures were allegedly carried out.The police said technical analysis confirmed that Bharadwaj had also sold his kidney owing to financial distress. Krishna facilitated his travel and admission to Star Kims Hospital for the transplant, they added.The police said the recipients were charged between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 80 lakh for a kidney transplant. However, the donors allegedly received only Rs 5–8 lakh. Of the remaining amount, around Rs 10 lakh was allegedly taken by Dr Ravinder Pal Singh, another Rs 20 lakh was charged by the hospital for the surgery, while Krishna took the remaining, said the police.Story continues below this adSP Sudarshan said Cambodia does not appear to be running a kidney racket independently, and the investigation has exposed the involvement of Indian doctors, hospitals and agents. “We have established a clear link between the donor, hospital, doctors and agents involved. Further connections may emerge as the investigation progresses,” he said.Ishwar Katkade, Additional SP, is leading the SIT probing the case. Statements of several people who allegedly accompanied the victims are yet to be recorded. The police said they will seek assistance from state and central authorities if additional links surface.Ankita Deshkar is a Deputy Copy Editor and a dedicated fact-checker at The Indian Express. Based in Maharashtra, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding. With a deep focus on Cyber Law, Information Technology, and Public Safety, she leads "The Safe Side" series, where she deconstructs emerging digital threats and financial scams. Ankita is also a certified trainer for the Google News Initiative (GNI) India Training Network, specializing in online verification and the fight against misinformation. She is also an AI trainer with ADiRA (AI for Digital Readiness and Advancement) Professional Background & Expertise Role: Fact-checker & Deputy Copy Editor, The Indian Express Experience: Started working in 2016 Ankita brings a unique multidisciplinary background to her journalism, combining engineering logic with mass communication expertise. Her work often intersects regional governance, wildlife conservation, and digital rights, making her a leading voice on issues affecting Central India, particularly the Vidarbha region. Key focus areas include: Fact-Checking & Verification: As a GNI-certified trainer, she conducts workshops on debunking deepfakes, verifying viral claims, and using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools. Cyber Law & IT: With postgraduate specialization in Cyber Law, she decodes the legalities of data privacy, digital fraud, and the evolving landscape of intellectual property rights. Public Safety & Health: Through her "The Safe Side" column, she provides actionable intelligence on avoiding "juice jacking," "e-SIM scams," and digital extortion. Regional Reporting: She provides on-ground coverage of high-stakes issues in Maharashtra, from Maoist surrenders in Gadchiroli to critical healthcare updates and wildlife-human conflict in Nagpur. Education & Credentials Ankita is currently pursuing her PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism, focusing on the non-verbal communication through Indian classical dance forms. Her academic foundation includes: MA in Mass Communication (RTM Nagpur University) Bachelors in Electrical Engineering (RTM Nagpur University) Post Graduate Diploma (PGTD) in Cyber Law and Information Technology Specialization in Intellectual Property Rights Recent Notable Coverage Ankita’s reportage is recognized for its investigative depth and emphasis on accountability: Cyber Security: "Lost money to a scam? Act within the 'golden hour' or risk losing it all" — A deep dive into the critical window for freezing fraudulent transactions. Public Health: "From deep coma to recovery: First fully recovered Coldrif patient discharged" — Investigating the aftermath of pharmaceutical toxins and the healthcare response. Governance & Conflict: "Gadchiroli now looks like any normal city: SP Neelotpal" — An analysis of the socio-political shift in Maoist-affected regions. Signature Beat Ankita is best known for her ability to translate "technical jargon into human stories." Whether she is explaining how AI tools like MahaCrimeOS assist the police or exposing the dire conditions of wildlife transit centres, her writing serves as a bridge between specialized knowledge and everyday safety. Contact & Follow X (Twitter): @ankita_deshkar Email: ankita.deshkar@indianexpress.com ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:kidney racketMaharashtra