A human trafficking racket involved in taking Nepalis to India and selling their kidneys has been exposed. Police have arrested the ringleader, Shyam Krishna Bhandari, along with his associate Sujan Bharati. According to the Human Trafficking Investigation Bureau, the gang had lured people from districts including Sindhupalchok, Kavre, Sindhuli, Nuwakot and Dhading with various promises before transporting them to India for organ trade.

The arrests were made at the Kanchanpur and Birgunj border points while the suspects were entering Nepal from India. The Bureau has registered four cases against the group, based on complaints from five victims. The investigation, launched under the operation code-named Life Field, revealed that the gang arranged transportation to New Delhi for those willing to sell their kidneys. Earlier, three other individuals linked to the group were arrested on Aug 5.

Police continued their probe based on victim testimonies and statements from the detained suspects. During interrogation, Bhandari confessed that the victims were kept at a hotel in Kasturba Niketan, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, where doctors were brought in for blood tests and medical examinations. He admitted that victims were sedated, blindfolded and kept in hospitals for three to four days before sending them back to Nepal.

Bhandari also told police that he lured individuals by promising InRs 600,000 for a kidney. However, one victim reported receiving only InRs 5,000. He further confessed to facilitating the removal of kidneys from at least 25 people, though investigators believe the network has trafficked kidneys from over 100 individuals.

Police say further investigation is underway.