The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the police in Guntur to submit a report on the issue of farmers selling their kidneys for paying debts by April 2. Y Soma Raju, a petitioner appealed to SHRC to end an organized mafia dealing with kidney transplantations from poor farmers. Kidney scandals in India are a regular feature for the last decade or more in India. The recent nefarious kidney expose in Guntur is yet another example of coercion and exploitation of the community from weaker economic sections.

India had a successful legal market in organ trading before the passage of the Transplantation of Human Organs Act in 1994. Low cost and availability of organs transformed India into one of the largest kidney transplant centers in the world. Several problems began surfacing during the period of legal organ trade in India. The kidney is the most sought after organ in transplant tourism, with prices for the organ ranging from as little as Rs.2-3 Lakhs to as much as Rs.70 Lakhs.

In some cases patients were unaware a kidney transplant procedure even took place as well as problems included patients being promised an amount much higher than what was actually paid out. Ethical issues surrounding contribution donating pushed the Indian government to pass legislation banning the sale of organs. Despite these steps, loopholes still exist in current laws that allow non-related donors to give organs if they are emotionally close to the recipient.

Y Soma Raju, a petitioner said farmers from Guntur district were increasingly selling their kidney for Rs 3 to 4 lakhs to pay their debts.  The petitioner said that an organized mafia was behind this whole racket.

The mafia would look out for gullible farmers, convince them for a surgery and supply their kidney to corporate hospitals. Earlier, during the Tsunami it was alleged that Tsunami victims were operated and their Kidneys were stolen/sold  in TamilNadu.

Although doctors say some people can lead a relatively normal life with just a single kidney, it is an area fraught with medical complications. It was also mentioned that farmers were suffering form the health complications.

The petitioner appealed to the commission to help put an end to this racket and at the same time help the debt-ridden farmers. The commission has directed the superintendent of police, Guntur, to submit a report by April 2.