Amritsar, January 12
Many more heads are likely to roll in the kidney racket even as Dr O.P. Mahajan, Principal, Medical College, and chairman of the authorisation committee, and Dr P.K. Sareen, surgeon, have been remanded in police custody till January 16 and 17, respectively, by the Duty Magistrate today.

The role of senior politicians have also come under the scanner as they had tried to save the accused with the alleged help from certain police officials.

The police may also involve other members of the authorisation committee and team of doctors assisting Dr Sareen for kidney transplants for further investigation. Many associates of Dr Sareen have already gone underground fearing arrests.

The police may also prevail upon one of the senior doctors or a middleman to turn approver to nail the prime accused.

Interestingly, the Health Minister had stated that the police had no authority to interfere in the working of the authorisation committee.

Veteran CPI leader Satya Pal Dang had already alleged that some senior politicians were involved in the nexus.

Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawala, a former BJP MLA, has welcomed the arrest of two doctors in connection with the illegal kidney trade. She sought a high-level probe into the role of the Health Minister, Mr R.C. Dogra, who had reprimanded the police for interfering in the clearing of cases pertaining to kidney transplants. She alleged that Mr Dogra had directed the authorisation committee to clear the pending cases regarding kidney transplants.

Even as the medical fraternity is divided on the ethical issue of kidney transplant by unrelated donors the Punjab State Medical and Dental Teachers Association has decided to go on an indefinite strike from tomorrow till the issue is resolved.

The association has sought a CBI inquiry into and immediate withdrawal of the cases registered against the doctors.