Forty-three-year-old Aminul Haque, a private job holder, discovered damage to both of his kidneys several years ago. Since 2018, he had been undergoing kidney dialysis at Sonar Bangla Foundation in Shyamoly, the capital.

In January 2020, Aminul, then in a serious condition, crossed paths with Mehedi Hasan Mithu, who promised to facilitate a kidney transplant for him.

To ensure his survival, Aminul entered into a contract on a government stamp that year, agreeing to pay Tk20 lakh to Mehedi.

The terms of the contract specified that Mehedi would arrange kidney donors, cover hospital admission expenses, and bear the costs of the transplant.

In accordance with the agreement, Aminul paid Tk15 lakh in advance to Mehedi.

However, after receiving the funds, Mehedi severed all communication with Aminul, thereby swindling him out of the agreed-upon amount.

A similar fate befell Shahinuzzaman Shahin, another kidney patient who entrusted Mehedi with Tk7 lakh for a transplant, only to be deceived.

Similarly, Mehedi along with his gang took Tk5 lakh from a doctor named Shohana, and alse deceived several other patients over the past few years.

After being deceived, Aminul filed a case with a Kushtia court in 2020, but the criminals get off scot-free.  

Disturbingly, allegations suggest the involvement of a doctor from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) in this criminal activity.

In an attempt to shed light on Mehedi's deceitful practices, this correspondent, posing as the son of an elderly kidney patient, contacted Mehedi via a mobile phone number. Mehedi, posing questions about the caller's identity, eventually promised to arrange a kidney transplant in exchange for Tk28 lakh.

Mehedi, the son of Jahirul Islam and Nasima Begum of Bazita village in Madhamkhari union under Mirzaganj upazila of Patuakhali district, was reported to have previously resided in the capital’s Rampura area.

According to victims, Mehedi and his associates target kidney patients undergoing dialysis at various centres in the capital and other parts of the country, enticing them with promises of kidney transplantation.

Upon entering into agreements for services, patients are admitted to the BSMMU. However, after a few days, communication is abruptly cut off, leaving patients to realise they have fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Faruk Hossain, also the spokesperson of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, told the Daily Sun that they were unaware of such gangs.  

However, patient Aminul told the Daily Sun that Mehedi, his two friends – Ariful and Sunny – took the money amounting to Tk15 lakh from him in cash.

“After getting the money, Mehedi admitted me to the BSMMU. I was admitted under a doctor of the hospital and had to undergo a number of tests as per the doctor’s advice. I was in the hospital for 15 days. But, I finally left it when could realise that I fell prey to cheating racket,” he said.

He said that Shahin and another patient were also admitted to the BSMMU. “I suspect that the doctor may have involvement with the gang,” he said.