NGO's like FORTE promoting cadaveric organ transplantation have never had it so tough with Bangalore being labelled the center for kidney trading in India through unrelated kidney transplants.

This time the story begins in the district of Mandya in Karnataka, in fact, in a small village called Holalu in this district. Fosty seven residents of this village have sold their kidneys for anything from Rs. 35000/- to Rs. 40000/-. However the agents who liaise between the donor and recipient, actually 'sell' the kidney for more than Rs. 1 lakh. a well organnized ring of agents contact poor villagers in financial distress and persuade them to donate their kidneys. Documents are also forged to facilitate donation since all unrelated donors have to be approved by the government authrisation committee.

The committee is to ensure that the donation is on altruistic grounds and there is no commercial dealing. The case that brought to light the racket in Mandya was an agricultural worker in Holala, Doddamaddyya Setty, who was unable to convince the authorisation committee of his genuineness. His residence verification papers were sent to the Mandya police who found that the signature of their circle inspector had been forged on the document. At this point , the police stepped in, further investigations were intituted and 12 persons were arrested. Apparently these people had contacts in many major hospitals in Bangalore. According to Amar Kumar Pandey, Superindent of Police, Mandya,' No role has been envisaged for the police in the Transplantation of Human Organs Act, and we only entered the picture to investigate a case of forgery that was bought to our notice". This latest incident does underline the need for a greater role for the police in the process of monitoring organ donation in the country.