Blood racket drained poor Indians, police say

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Fear for the health of captives
State Health Minister Anant Kumar Mishra said the blood racket case has prompted new rules for using blood donations. "Daily records have to be maintained about the source of blood. It has to be specific information, whether the blood is from a donor or is bought from a blood bank," Mishra said, adding that these reports would have to be submitted every week.

Three clinics found to have bought the blood have been shut, he said, and police were investigating clinic personnel.

However, he said blood banks are perilously understocked in northern India, where many people don't understand the need for blood donations.

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"We do not have donors," he said. "Even relatives of those patients who need blood shy away from donating. This leads to such rackets."

There were also fears for the health of the captives as well as those who received their blood.

'Sucked my husband's blood'
Prasad said he was held for nearly six months and captors took his blood at least three times a week. Adults can safely donate blood about once every two months, according to American Red Cross guidelines.

By the time he was rescued, the father of two weighed just 84 pounds. It took him and the others three days to regain enough strength to stand.

"He has been reduced to just a skeleton," said his wife, Sunita Rani. "They sucked my husband's blood and left him to die."

Suresh Mishra, a doctor at a local hospital, said all the victims were anemic. Police official D.K. Chaudhry said some might be drug addicts who agreed to trade their blood for drugs.

Prasad didn't respond when asked if he used drugs.

"We do not know as how many people might have contacted diseases after transfusion of blood of these drug addicts," said Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, a doctor and opposition lawmaker from Gorakhpur.

"It is a heinous crime," said Agarwal. "The doctors were literally playing with the lives of the people."