Supreme Court Voices Strong Displeasure Over Absent Doctor in Illegal Kidney Transplant Case
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday expressed profound displeasure regarding the absence of an accused doctor in a grave case involving illegal kidney transplants, describing the matter as highly alarming and of an extraordinary nature. A two-member bench, led by Justice Hashim Kakar, presided over the hearing against Dr. Fawad Mumtaz, who stands accused of performing illicit kidney transplants while masquerading as a plastic surgeon.
Court Proceedings and Accusations
During the session, Director Legal Punjab, Imran Ahmed, along with the defense counsel, presented themselves before the court. The Director Legal informed the bench that the accused was apprehended while conducting illegal kidney transplant procedures in Sector B-17 of Islamabad, at a location that lacked even a proper operation theatre. He further disclosed that Dr. Mumtaz had previously been caught engaging in similar unlawful activities.
Justice Kakar inquired whether the accused doctor was present in court, to which the defense counsel responded that Dr. Fawad Mumtaz had failed to appear. This prompted the court to express strong displeasure, with Justice Kakar remarking that it was incomprehensible how a plastic surgeon could perform such a complex procedure as a kidney transplant.
Serious Nature of the Case
The Director Legal Punjab updated the court that the accused is currently out on bail and is facing multiple cases. Justice Kakar observed that the doctor had been "stealing kidneys from people" and should fear God, adding that such an individual deserved a lengthy prison sentence. The court emphasized that the case was of a very serious nature, involving the exploitation of impoverished individuals.
Justice Kakar also inquired about the well-being of the affected patients, and it was confirmed that the patients undergoing transplant procedures were alive. He noted that the accused appeared to possess surgical skills, which should have been utilized for positive purposes, even suggesting that such expertise could have been employed at institutions like Quaid-i-Azam University instead of engaging in illegal activities.
Legal Background and Adjournment
Subsequently, the court issued notices and adjourned the hearing until April 23. It is pertinent to mention that the Prosecution Punjab had filed an appeal seeking enhancement of the accused’s sentence, while a high court had earlier reduced his sentence to the period already undergone. The accused had originally been sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2023.
