Maharashtra government form three-member panel to probe kidney transplant case

In the wake of Anti-Corruption Bureau arresting two hospital staffers in the kidney transplant case, the Maharashtra government has decided to form a three-member committee to investigate into the entire episode.

According to a senior official in the health department, a demand for immediate setting up of a three-member committee has been sent to the government. It is expected to be cleared on October 3, after which the committee members will start investigating the matter.

After a complaint by relatives of a patient in need of a kidney transplant, ACB had arrested two organ coordinators — Tushar Savarkar from Sir JJ Group of Hospital and Sachin Salve of a private hospital — in connection with the kidney transplant racket.

The duo was caught accepting Rs 80,000 for clearing a patient's file for a kidney transplant.

Dr Pravin Shingare, Head, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), said, "We have submitted names of members to the probe committee. Once the order is passed by the government on October 3, the members will start a medical investigation in the case."

He added, "Since October 2 is a bank holiday, the committee's approval is expected on Wednesday."

Dr Mukund Tayde, Dean of Sir JJ Group of Hospital, said, "The committee will scrutinise all the files related to the matter. Since the regional organ authorisation committee operates through state government, the matter will be undertaken by the government authority."

"The accused arrested in kidney transplant related bribery case were produced before the court on Tuesday and have been remanded in ACB custody till October 04. We are probing if more persons were involved and if accused have committed similar offence in the past," said an ACB official.

Relative of the patient who complained to the ACB, Zakir Hussain, said, "I will be writing a letter to the state government stating that they should suspend all the authorities who are involved in this matter. If they have asked bribe from us, I am sure there might be so many other patients too who were bribed in the past."

DUO REMANDED

The accused were produced before the court on Tuesday and have been remanded in ACB custody till October 4, said an ACB official.