A suspected interstate human organ trafficking network operating in Assam was busted after a joint operation by Dibrugarh and Tinsukia police led to the arrest of four alleged brokers from Margherita on Friday.
The arrested accused have been identified as Zakir Hussain (53), Shankar Chentanu (28), Samir Paul (37) and Gopal Roy (31).
According to police sources, the accused were allegedly involved in a racket that targeted financially vulnerable individuals and lured them with promises of money and jobs before attempting to illegally sell their organs.
Investigators said the accused were allegedly trying to take a 35-year-old man, Rajiv Dey of Margherita, for the illegal sale of one of his kidneys.
The operation began after Rajiv Dey’s family lodged a complaint at Margherita Police Station late Thursday night.
A family member alleged that Rajiv had left home early Thursday morning with accused Shankar Chentanu after being told there was some work in Dibrugarh. Hours later, the family reportedly learned that he was allegedly being taken for illegal kidney trade with the involvement of some medical staff.
The relatives became suspicious after Rajiv’s phone remained switched off for several hours. When they contacted Shankar Chentanu, he allegedly denied knowing anything about Rajiv’s whereabouts.
Following the complaint, police launched a special operation led by Tinsukia DSP (Crime) Fayez Ahmed with assistance from Dibrugarh Police.
All four accused were reportedly caught during the operation. Police sources said there could be a larger inter-district organ trafficking network operating in Assam.
Investigators are now probing whether any hospitals, doctors or medical personnel were connected to the alleged racket.
Police also suspect that several other victims may have been linked to the network.
A case numbered 44/2026 has been registered at Margherita Police Station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 61(2), 112, 143(1) and 318(4).
