Law enforcement authorities investigating the illegal blood extraction network involving minor school students in Durgapur, West Bengal, have achieved a major breakthrough. Kingshuk Mukherjee, identified as the primary mastermind of the operation, was apprehended from Bhubaneswar in Odisha. This arrest comes after police previously detained three other individuals connected to the case during operations conducted in August, bringing the investigation closer to dismantling the entire syndicate.
Interstate Police Operation and Arrest in Odisha
Kingshuk Mukherjee, a resident of Bidhannagar in Durgapur, had reportedly absconded shortly after the illegal blood donation activities came to light. Tracking his movement across state borders, a specialized police team from Durgapur conducted a targeted raid in Odisha and successfully took Mukherjee into custody from Bhubaneswar. Investigators are securing police remand to interrogate him regarding the financial transactions, operational logistics, and institutional connections involved in the scheme.
Unraveling the Racket and Prior Arrests
The illicit practice was uncovered after a formal complaint was lodged at Durgapur Police Station regarding minor students from a private school in Steel City being paid to donate blood at a private hospital in Bidhannagar. Initial inquiries led to Devpriya Chakraborty, a former student of the same school, who allegedly enticed the minors with cash offers and brought them to the facility. Chakraborty's questioning revealed broader involvement, leading to the subsequent arrests of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad member Amit Prasad Yadav and Malda resident Mohammad Habibullah.
Investigating the Organized Syndicate Network
Police are focusing their ongoing investigation on identifying how the minor students were targeted, who managed the cash payouts, and which external contacts facilitated the blood collection process. Authorities suspect that the operation extends beyond the arrested individuals, pointing toward a structured organized racket exploiting vulnerable adolescents for commercial gain within the regional healthcare ecosystem.
