Madhu Jayakumar, Subject of Interpol Notice, Detained Upon Arrival from Iran
KOCHI” The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested Madhu Jayakumar, the prime accused and alleged kingpin in a major case involving the trafficking of Indian citizens to Iran for illegal organ donation. Jayakumar, a native of Ernakulam, was taken into custody on November 8 after he arrived from Iran, where he had been residing.
Following a petition by the NIA, Jayakumar was produced before a Kochi court on November 12 and was remanded to the agency’s custody until November 19. He is currently undergoing intensive interrogation at the NIA office in Kochi.
The international organ trafficking network allegedly run by Jayakumar and his associates targeted financially distressed individuals across Indian states, luring them with false promises of high remuneration for “legal” organ donation in Iran. Iran is reportedly the only country in the world that legally permits the sale of kidneys, a loophole exploited by traffickers.
Facilitate the procedures for Indian recipients in Iranian hospitals, often charging up to ₹50 lakh per transplant.
Ultimately, cheat the donors, paying them only a fraction of the promised compensation or, in some cases, nothing at all, while denying them necessary post-operative care.
Sources indicate that Jayakumar was instrumental in controlling the operations in Iran, coordinating with hospitals, and managing the financial transactions, which reportedly exceeded ₹6 crore.
The case originated on May 18, 2024, when Bureau of Immigration officials at Kochi airport intercepted Sabith Nasar, a youth suspected of involvement in the network. The investigation was initially handled by the Ernakulam Rural Police before being transferred to the NIA due to its international ramifications.
Last year, the NIA filed a chargesheet against Madhu Jayakumar along with Sabith Nasar, Sajith Shyam, and Bellamkonda Ram Prasad. An Interpol Red Corner Notice had been issued against Jayakumar in February 2025 while he was absconding in Iran, leading to his eventual arrest upon return to India.
