Two kidney scam suspects secure bail

Investigators claim the case involves more than 55 illegal organ transplants

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Dr Nadir Hussain and Syed Adeel Haider in an illegal kidney transplantation case, accepting their surety bonds of Rs200,000 each.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Shahzad Ahmed Malik heard the case. Additional Attorney General Raja Shafqat Abbasi appeared before the court to assist in the proceedings.

The two accused were arrested on the spot during a raid at a private hospital in Islamabad, where an illegal kidney transplant operation was allegedly underway.

According to the case record, the raid uncovered an ongoing illegal kidney transplant operation involving a donor, Wasim Akram. Dr Nadir Hussain, a urologist at the hospital, and Syed Adeel Haider, coordinator of the Kidney Transplant Programme, were arrested during the operation.

Investigators also recovered Rs1.294 million in cash from a drawer in Dr Nadir Hussain's office, which was allegedly paid for the surgery.

The case was registered under Sections 9, 10 and 11 of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Act, 2010, and Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code. A total of 13 people have been nominated in the case, of whom five have been arrested, two are on bail and six remain absconding.

According to the investigation record, Dr Nadir Hussain had allegedly performed illegal kidney transplant operations on more than 55 unrelated individuals.

The investigation further revealed that most donors were kiln workers who were allegedly lured into selling their kidneys with promises of relief from debt.

Officials have also sent letters to the relevant authorities seeking the freezing of all bank accounts belonging to the accused, including agent Saleem Khan and Syed Adeel Haider.