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Kerala High Court denies bail to accused in organ trafficking case
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Photo for representational purpose | Justice Kauser Edappagath observed that there was a prima facie case of a premeditated criminal act by the accused. The court noted in the analysis of WhatsApp chats that Kallatra had transmitted documents to the other accused to prepare forged documents for the alleged illegal operations. The Google Pay account history also disclosed multiple monetary transactions, and a WhatsApp voice recording was recovered where Kallatra had instructed another accused person to prepare a forged laboratory report to facilitate illegal organ transplants.A statement by one of the donors had revealed that he received ₹9 lakh in cash for donating his kidney, and all the necessary documents had been arranged by Kallatra for the purpose. The donor accused Kallatra of exploiting his financial distress for illegal organ trade.Expressing concern over the gravity of the offence, the court said that organ trafficking exploited vulnerable populations, fuelled transnational crime networks, and undermined public trust in legitimate medical systems, and held that Kallatra could not be released on bail. Published - August 14, 2026 01:39 am IST
SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was in Nanded and after paying obeisance at Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurudwara, he had gone to another Gurdwara nearby, his party leader said on August 13, 2026. Credit: Special arrangement Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal suffered a hand injury in an attack by two unidentified persons allegedly wearing the attire of Nihang Sikhs, in Maharashtra’s Nanded on Thursday (August 13, 2026).The suspects have been taken into custody and investigation is under way, Nanded Collector Rahul Kardile said. Police said preliminary information suggests that they used a kirpan (dagger) that was with them to carry out the attack.Mr. Badal, who is on a two-day visit to Nanded district, was visiting various gurudwaras when he was attacked at the Mata Sahib Gurudwara. “He suffered a minor injury on the hand. He is stable and out of danger,” Mr. Kardile said, adding that the police inspector who saved the SAD chief also sustained injuries. Mr. Badal’s wife, Lok Sabha MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, was also present at the time of the incident.In 2024, Mr. Badal had averted an assassination bid after a former militant and pro-Khalistan sympathiser opened fire at him outside the Golden Temple in Punjab’s Amritsar, where he was performing penance for his ‘mistakes’.Mr. Badal escaped unhurt in the incident even as the accused was overpowered by security police personnel. He was sitting at the entrance of the Golden Temple, attired in the dress of a ‘sewadar’ performing the penance, when the accused person drew a gun to shoot.SAD demands high-level probeSenior SAD leader Daljit Cheema demanded a high-level independent inquiry into the incident.“Mr. Badal was in Nanded and after paying obeisance at Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurudwara, he had gone to another Gurdwara nearby, when a person in his mid-sixties attacked him with a ‘kirch’ (dagger). The person was wearing traditional attire (bana). What is the actual conspiracy behind the incident, and who is the person? Whether he is actually a Nihang or belongs to some group will only be known after the investigation,” Mr. Cheema told The Hindu.“This is a serious matter. Whenever Akali Dal rises, conspiracies start right then,” he added. Published - August 13, 2026 03:34 pm IST
CPI(M) district secretary S. Satish has demanded clarification regarding the alleged links of those accused in a drug case to the Chief Minister’s office.In a statement issued here, he alleged that Muhammed Hussain, social media coordinator of the Chief Minister and a Youth Congress office-bearer, was arrested with MDMA during Operation Toofan at Kalikkadavu in Kasaragod. P.A. Abdul Salam and P.A. Abbas, residents of Vengola in Ernakulam, who were arrested along with him, were also active Congress workers, he alleged. Published - August 12, 2026 01:53 am IST
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