One more person has been arrested in connection with the alleged illegal organ donation using forged documents, which came to light with the Kunnathunadu police registering two cases relating to the offence. Rashida, 37, wife of Najeeb of Peringala in Kunnathunadu, was arrested by the police. Mr. Najeeb, also named an accused in the case, is absconding.

Earlier, Sunny Varghese, 56, of Thadiyan house at Kumarapuram in Kunnathunadu, his wife Sini Varghese, 50, and Sanoj, 32, of Kavungaparambu, Chelakkulam, were arrested by the Ernakulam Rural police for their alleged involvement in the crime. Three people—Sreeja, Sudheer and Vinod—were, meanwhile, arrested by the Kilikollur police in Kollam district.

According to the first information reports, the accused forged documents including letterheads of two major hospitals in Ernakulam as well as blank letterheads in the name of an MLA and MP to facilitate organ donations.

The arrested were produced before court and remanded.