Gonda: Gonda Police have busted an inter-district gang allegedly involved in the illegal sale of blood, arresting eight accused and recovering 253 forged blood bank cards, 10 disposable syringes and nine mobile phones during a coordinated operation.
The action was carried out by the Kotwali Nagar Police as part of an ongoing drive against crime under the direction of Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal. The operation was supervised by Additional Superintendent of Police (East) Ajit Kumar Rajak and led by Circle Officer Yogendra Singh.
The accused were identified as Mukhtar, Shivam Shukla, Vijay, Saheb Alam, Hrishikesh Awasthi, Brijesh Kumar Shukla, Abhishek Singh and Saurabh Srivastava. They were arrested near Chandmari Puliya, Ghosiyana, in connection with two criminal cases registered at Kotwali Nagar Police Station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Fraud Came to Light After Blood Sold to Patient’s Family
According to police, the investigation began after Wali Mohammad, a resident of Parsa village in Kharagupur, lodged a complaint stating that his wife had been admitted to a hospital on July 4, 2026, where doctors advised an urgent blood transfusion.
While arranging blood outside the hospital, he allegedly came into contact with Hrishikesh Awasthi, who offered a unit of blood for Rs 12,500. The complainant paid Rs 10,000 through an online transfer and Rs 2,500 in cash. However, after medical examination, doctors reportedly declared the blood suspect and unsuitable for transfusion. When the complainant demanded either a replacement or a refund, the accused allegedly failed to provide either.
Following the complaint, an FIR was registered at Kotwali Nagar Police Station, and the Superintendent of Police directed officers to identify and arrest all those involved in the racket.
Organised Network Across Districts
During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that they were members of an organised network engaged in the illegal purchase and sale of blood for financial gain.
Police said the investigation revealed that Abhishek Singh and Saurabh Srivastava allegedly operated a blood bank in Balrampur, while other members of the gang identified patients in hospitals and elsewhere who required blood. The group allegedly contacted such families and arranged blood illegally at inflated prices.
Investigators also alleged that the gang had earlier supplied expired blood for the treatment of a nine-year-old girl within the Kotwali Nagar police station limits.
Recoveries and Legal Action
Police recovered 253 forged blood bank cards, 10 disposable syringes, and nine mobile phones from the possession of the accused during the operation.
The arrested individuals have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including provisions related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, along with Sections 18 and 27 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. They have been produced before the competent court for further legal proceedings.
The operation was carried out by a Kotwali Nagar police team led by Inspector Vindhyeshwari Mani Tripathi, along with Sub-Inspectors Sonu Kumar, Pintu Kumar Yadav, Nitin Upadhyay, Sudhanshu Pathak, and other police personnel.
Police said further investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged network and identify any additional persons involved.
