Any mechanism in state for organ transplant, asks HC

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to file a detailed affidavit spelling out if there is any mechanism for organ donation and transplantation.

The direction was issued by a Division Bench of Justice Anoop Mohta and Justice Bharati Dangre. They were hearing a plea filed by a Dadar-based man who had sought permission to acquire organs and tissues from a 71-year-old brain dead man, admitted in a Powai hospital.

Swapnil Raut, had approached the judges after his application was rejected as the hospital’s licence to transplant organs was suspended in 2016, post the kidney racket scam.

The hospital had denied permission to harvest the organs of the brain dead man submitted by the Director of Health Services. The hospital was asked to shift the donor to some other recognised hospital so that his organs can be transplanted to recipients.

The judges had in the earlier hearing observed that ‘prima facie human organs should not be wasted.’

On Thursday, the judges directed the government to file a detailed affidavit. The judges have asked the government to mention in its affidavit as to inform if there is any mechanism in place regarding organ donations and transplantations.

The matter has been posted for further hearing after two weeks.

The high court pursued the matter with the state government after a Dadar-based man sought permission to acquire organs from a 71-year-old brain dead person at Powai hospital