Organ trade: SIT requests 10 days of police custody for main accused

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) transferred Angamaly Judicial Magistrate First Class to 10 days custody of the “kingpin” arrested for organ trafficking and related human trafficking.

Ballamkonda Ramprasad alias Prathapan, 41, from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, believed to be the kingpin of a Hyderabad-based racket, was arrested from a hotel in Hyderabad where he was hiding on May 30. He was taken into custody on May 30. June 1.

While the SIT headed by district police chief (Ernakulam Rural) Vaibhav Saxena had questioned him for a few hours before he was produced in court, further investigation in custody is expected to shed more light on the functioning of the racket. Prathapan was found to know English well. Mr. Saxena's medical history as a qualified pediatrician, however, proved useful during initial questioning, as it often caught the accused off guard and undermined many of his statements related to the medical field.

Prathapan's arrest was the third to take place in the case after the arrest of Sabith Nasar from Thrissur upon his arrival from Iran on May 21 and that of Sajith Shyam from Edathala three days later. The SIT has also taken steps, including issuing a lookout circular and canceling passport, to bring back the other accused, Madhu, who is currently believed to be based in Iran. Madhu is also suspected of having links with rackets operating in other states of the country.

The SIT is checking the call recording details and online fingerprint of Prathapan. The question of whether he visited Kerala is also under investigation. His statements should also be compared with those made by the two other accused during their custody. Hospitals and laboratories outside Kerala are also on the radar due to their alleged links to racketeering.

Prathapan is said to have been instrumental in identifying donors, mainly by thoroughly analyzing online platforms and social media, striking deals with them and arranging their flight to Iran where Sabith took over. The SIT is also probing details of a 'dummy' company the accused allegedly set up in Ernakulam to channelize illegal revenue from the alleged organ trade.

While the racket allegedly charged over ₹50 lakh from the recipients, the actual donors received ₹6 lakh at best, it is learnt.