The Maharashtra government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the Chandrapur kidney racket after serious allegations emerged that farmers were coerced by illegal moneylenders into selling their kidneys to repay mounting debts. The case has triggered statewide concern over exploitative lending practices and possible international organ trafficking links.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took “serious cognisance” of the matter following a complaint by a farmer from Nagbhid taluk in Chandrapur district.
Farmer alleges forced kidney sale abroad
The case centres on Roshan Kule, a farmer from Minthur village, who alleged that sustained harassment by private moneylenders forced him to sell one of his kidneys in Cambodia. According to officials, Kule had initially borrowed ₹1 lakh, but the amount allegedly ballooned to several lakhs due to usurious interest rates.
Bawankule said action had already been initiated against those involved in illegal money lending. “The concerned moneylenders have been arrested. Stricter action will follow and no guilty person will be spared,” he said, adding that the incident points to organised exploitation of vulnerable farmers.
Investigators suspect Kule was taken to Cambodia for an illegal transplant and later sent to Laos under the pretext of employment, raising concerns about cross-border organ trafficking networks.
More complaints surface in Chandrapur district
As the probe gained momentum, another case of alleged financial exploitation emerged from Brahmapuri in the same district. A private firm employee complained that after borrowing ₹8.5 lakh, he was allegedly forced to repay ₹31.42 lakh. The victim claimed he had to pledge gold, liquidate investments and mortgage his house to meet repayment demands.
Police registered a case against moneylender Laxman Urkude under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act. Urkude is also an accused in the Kule case, strengthening suspicions of a wider network operating in the region.
SIT formed to uncover organised network
Chandrapur police have formed the SIT under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police Ishwar Katkade. Senior officers from the local crime branch and cyber police have been included in the team to examine financial trails, recruitment methods and possible international links.
Officials said the SIT will focus on dismantling illegal money-lending operations and identifying intermediaries involved in organ trafficking. The state government has indicated that further arrests and regulatory action are likely as the investigation progresses.