New Delhi, Jan 27: Taking suo-motu cognizance of media reports about the kidney scam in Punjab, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the state government asking for its response within two weeks. An official spokesperson today said the commission had asked the state chief secretary and director general f police to report to the NHRC on the number of kidney donors "now in jail and whether any medical facilities was being provided to them.
According to reports, victims in Punjab were compelled to sell their kidneys to save themselves from starvation. It also said at least 300 labourers had lost their kidneys and 20 to 25 had lost their lives in this racket which was on since 2001.
The spokesperson said the commission had also received complaints from former Union minister Ram Jethmalani and others expressing shock over the reports and sought NHRC's intervention.
The complainants reiterated that it appeared that the poor victims of exploitation who had been compelled to sell their kidneys to save themselves from starvation, had been further victimised by being imprisoned.
They requested the commission to take immediate steps to get them released from custody and arrange for medical care for them as "otherwise the state would be guilty of grossest human rights violation." Bureau Report