Chandrapur Kidney Racket Sparks SIT Probe Following Farmer Exploitation Allegations
Nagpur/Chandrapur, December 21, 2025 – The Maharashtra government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate a kidney racket in Chandrapur, prompted by allegations that farmers were coerced into selling their kidneys to repay debts to illegal moneylenders. The case has ignited statewide concern regarding exploitative lending practices and potential international organ trafficking connections.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is taking the matter seriously, particularly after a farmer from Nagbhid, Roshan Kule, alleged that private moneylenders had harassed him, leading him to sell his kidney in Cambodia. "The CM constituted an SIT to probe this deeply disturbing incident," Bawankule said, emphasizing that action had already commenced against those involved in illegal money lending, with arrests made. He assured that stricter measures would follow, and no one found guilty would be spared.
The investigation gained momentum when another case of alleged financial exploitation emerged from Brahmapuri, underscoring the growing reach of illegal money lending in the district. A private firm employee reported being forced to repay ₹31.42 lakh against an ₹8.5 lakh loan, allegedly through pledging gold, liquidating investments, and mortgaging his house. Police have registered a case against moneylender Laxman Urkude under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Money-Lending (Regulation) Act; Urkude is also implicated in the Kule case.
Roshan Kule from Minthur village initially borrowed ₹1 lakh, which allegedly escalated to several lakhs due to exorbitant interest rates. He was then allegedly taken to Cambodia, where he underwent an illegal kidney transplant, and was later sent to Laos under the guise of employment. Bawankule asserted that this case involves the exploitation of vulnerable farmers, suggesting a larger, organized network.
Medical examinations have confirmed that Roshan Kude has only one kidney. Kude stated he borrowed ₹50,000 in 2021 from two moneylenders at a 40% interest rate to supplement his income after incurring farming losses. The moneylenders later claimed that the amount, with interest, had increased to ₹74 lakh. Kude stated that one of the moneylenders suggested selling a kidney to partially clear the debt, after which Kude contacted an agent online who took him to Kolkata for a medical examination before traveling to Cambodia where his kidney was removed and he received ₹8 lakh.
Police have arrested six moneylenders identified as Kishor Bawankule, Pradip Bawankule, Sanjay Ballarpure, Laxman Urkude, Manish Ghatbandhe, and Satyavan Borkar. Five of the six accused have been remanded to police custody until December 20, 2025. Chandrapur Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mummaka has requested Kude to provide all necessary information, adding that his financial transactions show he borrowed money from multiple moneylenders.
