Staff Reporter :
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has cracked down on a kidney trafficking ring, arresting three members and rescuing potential victims.
The organiSed gang lured Bangladeshi citizens with promises of lucrative jobs in India, but instead forced them into kidney transplants.
DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Dr. K Mahid Uddin confirmed the arrests and the gang’s exploitation of at least 10 victims at a press conference on Sunday.
The arrests stem from a case filed by a victim named Robin. Following Robin’s complaint, Dhanmondi Police Station apprehended three suspects during raids in Dhanmondi and Bagerhat.
The arrested individuals are Md Raju Howladar (32), Shahed Uddin (22), and Md Atahar Hossain Bappi (28). A search for 10-12 additional gang members, including Md Masum (27), Shaheen (35), and Sagar alias Mustafa (37), is ongoing.
Robin’s statement revealed how he was targeted. In April 2023, while discussing his family’s financial hardship at a tea stall near Mirpur-10 Shah Ali Market, he was approached by Masum. Masum, overhearing the conversation, offered Robin a high-paying job at his company in India. After a month of phone conversations, Robin agreed to travel to India with Masum, unaware of the sinister plan awaiting him.
To gain Robin’s trust, Masum facilitated a medical test for a supposed job requirement. On September 21st, Robin was taken to LabAid Hospital in Dhanmondi, where Masum introduced him to Raju Howladar (32), another gang member. Robin’s passport was taken for a visa after the medical examination.
Following the visa process, Robin was introduced to Shahed Uddin (22) and Md Atahar Hossain Bappi (28), presented as Masum and Raju’s business partners.
According to DMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) Dr. K Mahid Uddin, Robin was then flown to Delhi, India, where he underwent further kidney tests. He was later transported to a house in Muktinagar, Gujarat, and held captive.
On March 4th, Robin’s ordeal reached a horrifying climax. The gang members threatened him and forcefully removed his kidney at a hospital in Gujarat.