Warning: This report contains accounts of sexual assault and violence that some readers may find distressing. Ramia was preparing for a family picnic, on a warm summer day in her village in Latakia province in western Syria, when a white car drove up, she said
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Court denies bail to prime accused in Kochi organ trafficking case; NIA extends probe abroad
A Kochi court has denied bail to Madhu Jayakumar, a key figure in an international organ trafficking ring. The National Investigation Agency is investigating the case, which involves transporting people to Iran and Tajikistan for organ transplants. The probe has extended to foreign countries, with evidence being collected through diplomatic channels.
Kochi, A court here has dismissed the bail petition of a prime accused in a case related to trafficking people to Iran and Tajikistan for organ transplantation, noting that the probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has extended abroad.
NIA Special Court Judge Hafees Mohammad on January 19, dismissed the bail plea of Madhu Jayakumar of Kochi, the first accused in a case relating to the trafficking of donors and recipients for organ transplantation in Iran and Tajikistan.
The case dates back to May 2024, when a person was intercepted at Kochi airport in Nedumbassery on suspicion of illegal trafficking of people.
The police, which initially probed the case, arrested four persons.
The NIA took over the investigation in July 2024 and arrested Jayakumar last year.
In his bail petition, Jayakumar claimed that he was working in Iran and was unaware of the registration of the case or the warrant issued against him.
His counsel submitted that he had only facilitated organ transplantation and had not forged any documents, as alleged by the NIA.
However, the NIA opposed the bail plea, contending that Jayakumar was the kingpin of an international racket involved in human trafficking for organ transplantation.
NIA senior prosecutor Arjun Ambalappatta submitted that during preliminary interrogation, Jayakumar disclosed the names of 27 recipients who had undergone kidney transplantation in Iran and 11 donors.
During further interrogation, he revealed the names of three more recipients.
After the case was registered in 2015, two persons were taken to Tajikistan for transplantation and lakhs of rupees were allegedly earned, which were later converted into bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies, the NIA said.
The agency also informed the court that steps had been taken through diplomatic channels to collect evidence from Iran and Tajikistan.
"The prosecution records would reveal that the Investigating Officer had taken steps to collect evidence regarding the commission of the alleged offences by the petitioner in Iran by sending a mutual legal assistance request through proper channels," the court observed.
The court said further investigation was at a crucial stage, as per the records produced by the NIA.
"The accused, who has international connections, can influence poor donors and recipients of kidney transplantation facilitated by him and can destroy records and hide the money allegedly earned through the illegal organ trade. There is every chance of him absconding if he is set free," the court said.
The court also noted that it was necessary to take the accused's voice sample for comparison.
"In such circumstances, the petitioner is not entitled to be released on bail at this stage and the application is liable to be dismissed," the court ordered.
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Source: EconomicTimes
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