Cuttack: Notwithstanding the stringent rules of the Odisha government for kidney donation and acceptance in place, illegal kidney transactions are said to be frequent in the state. Recently, a couple was duped of Rs 12 lakh by one Markand Nath, a native of Odisha’s Balasore district, on the pretext of donating the latter’s wife’s kidney.
The police detained Markand Nath as the accused confessed during interrogation that he promised to sell his wife’s kidney for Rs 12 lakh.
According to reports, Kutulu Kumar Majhi, a resident of Keonjhar, was admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack with kidney ailments. Both kidneys of Kutulu had stopped functioning and doctors at SCB recommended a kidney transplant.
Meanwhile, Kutulu met Markand Nath at SCB Medical College and Hospital. Markand told Kutulu and his wife that would sell his wife’s kidney for Rs 12 lakh. On May 12 last year, an agreement was signed between the two parties in this regard at the notary office. However, even after receiving the money, Markand went back on his promise.
After waiting fruitlessly for a year for Markand to ‘donate’ his wife’s kidney, Kutulu’s wife filed a complaint at the Mangalabag police station in Cuttack. Acting on the complaint, police have arrested Markand and his wife.
Meanwhile, Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra told reporters on Thursday that the police received the case on Wednesday and are currently investigating the matter. “As far as we are aware, both parties had agreed to kidney donation. There was some money transaction too but the doner reportedly did not keep his word,” Mishra added.
