Following claims that illicit moneylenders forced farmers to sell their kidneys in order to pay off debts, the Maharashtra government established a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the Chandrapur kidney racket.
The case raised concerns about exploitative financing practices and potential connections to international organ trafficking throughout the state.
According to revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took "serious cognisance" of the case of Roshan Kule, a farmer from Nagbhid in the Chandrapur district, who claimed that he was compelled to sell his kidney in Cambodia due to harassment from private moneylenders.
"To investigate this extremely unsettling situation, the CM established a SIT. He stated that "stricter action will follow and no guilty person will be spared" and that "action was already initiated against those involved in illegal money lending, and the concerned moneylenders were arrested."
Another example of alleged financial exploitation surfaced from Brahmapuri as the investigation picked up speed, underscoring what police called the district's growing illegal money lending network.
An employee of a private company claimed that after borrowing Rs 8.5 lakh, he was made to pay back Rs 31.42 lakh by mortgaging his home, pledging gold, and liquidating stocks.
In accordance with the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police filed a complaint against moneylender Laxman Urkude. In the Kule case, Urkude is also a defendant.
Roshan Kule, a farmer from Minthur village, had previously borrowed Rs. 1 lakh; however, due to usurious interest, the sum allegedly increased to several lakhs.
After being transported to Cambodia, where one of his kidneys was illegally transplanted, he was brought to Laos under the guise of employment.
"This case involves exploitation of vulnerable farmers and points to a larger organised network," Bawankule stated. Senior officials from the local criminal branch and cyber police were part of the Chandrapur police's SIT, which was headed by assistant superintendent of police Ishwar Katkade.
