By In a distressing incident from West Bengal, India, a woman allegedly coerced her husband into selling his kidney for ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000), purportedly to fund their daughter’s education and future marriage. Trusting his wife’s intentions, the husband underwent the illegal organ sale, hoping to secure a better future for their family. However, shortly after the procedure, the wife absconded with the entire sum, eloping with her lover, whom she had met on Facebook. The husband, left in financial and emotional turmoil, has filed a police complaint, leading to an ongoing investigation into the matter. This case underscores the persistent issue of illegal organ trade in India, where, despite stringent laws prohibiting such practices since 1994, a shortage of legal donors and financial desperation drive individuals toward illicit means. The husband’s plight highlights the vulnerabilities exploited in these black-market dealings and raises concerns about the enforcement of organ trade regulations. In a similar vein, another incident from Karnataka involved a 46-year-old woman who sold her kidney for ₹2.5 lakh to clear microfinance debts. Disturbingly, the man who facilitated this sale is now allegedly pressuring her to convince her married daughters to do the same, further illustrating the coercive tactics employed in the illegal organ trade. These incidents shed light on the dire need for increased awareness, stricter enforcement of existing laws, and support systems for vulnerable individuals to prevent exploitation in the black-market organ trade.
