Human Rights Commission directs fresh probe into infant kidney theft

CUTTACK: The Odisha Human Rights Commission on Thursday directed Crime Branch to probe the alleged theft of kidneys of an infant during an operation at a private clinic in Cuttack last year. The commission's observation came in response to a petition filed by a social organization, Indian Media Centre, seeking justice and compensation for the deceased's family.

A three-and-a-half-year-old Srijeet Das from Nehrupalli area, was admitted to Jagannath nursing home at Chhatra Bazaar on December 24, 2011, for plastic surgery of his fingers. Doctors had assured to correct his deformed fingers by grafting skin taken from his thighs. But the child died soon after surgery.

The family alleged the child's kidneys were stolen that led to his death. There were incision marks on his lower abdomen. A case was also lodged at Manglabagh police station. But police after investigation had stated that the allegations of kidney theft does not hold good, following which the social organization had moved the OHRC seeking justice for the deceased.

"The investigation carried out by the police was not proper as any medical negligence case should be investigated by the chief district medical officer or a doctor and supervised by a DSP-rank official. But in this case the procedure was not followed, so we had moved the OHRC. The commission took cognizance of the matter and directed the Crime Branch to probe it thoroughly," said Nishikant Mishra, the petitioner's counsel.

(2012-09-14/timesofindia)