Anti-trafficking bill: Sold kidney for Rs 2 lakh and left without medical care, this organ trafficking survivor wants to fight back

New Delhi: While some of us cry at a mere papercut, thousands of our countrymen have to resort to selling their organs to make ends meet. No, we are not talking about sanitized and medically approved surgeries, these organ donors are subjected to dubious operations and no post-surgical care.  

According to reports, approximately 210,000 people in India need new kidneys. Around 15,000 of these can afford treatment but only 7,000 of these can afford transplants. The demand-supply mismatch creates a ripe space for organ rackets. Organ traffickers MyNation met one such organ trafficking survivor from Tamil Nadu, who ended up losing his kidney as well as his family due to traffickers, at a recent consultation meeting organised by Prayas, an NGO founded by ex-Delhi DCP Amod Kanth.       

Also read: Sold to sex slavery by 'brother', here's what this trafficking survivor has to say

A power loom worker, he was contacted by a ring of brokers and was taken to Chennai for a preliminary test. He was promised Rs. 7,00,000 for his kidney and then trafficked to Sri Lanka for the operation. After a week he was sent back to his native place without proper post-medical assistance and given a sum of only Rs 1,50,000 in instalments.

No FIR was registered. No rehabilitation. No compensation. He shared his story in an interview following which his wife left him in the fear that she would suffer the repercussions of his grand reveal. The survivor continues to be in debt after his ordeal.

The proposed anti-trafficking bill recognises removal of organs as a form of trafficking and also seeks to provide stringent punishment. The proposed, Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, has already been cleared by the Lok Sabha and awaits a discussion in the Rajya Sabha. The bill, which may become law in 2019, provides confidentiality of victims, witnesses, time-bound trials and repatriation of the victims.