Court Rejects Bail Pleas of Four Accused in Illegal Human Placenta Trade Case

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has rejected the post-arrest bail applications of four individuals accused in a case involving the alleged illegal purchase and sale of human placenta.

The case was heard by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka. During the proceedings, defense counsel argued that the placenta is not classified as a human organ and has several legitimate medical applications, including its use in certain tissue-based treatments.

The defense informed the court that placenta-derived tissues are sometimes used in medical and cosmetic procedures, including some hair restoration techniques.

In response, Judge Majoka remarked humorously that he had undergone a hair restoration procedure himself and asked whether placenta tissue might have been used in his case. The defense counsel replied that the use of placenta-derived tissue depends on the specific medical technique employed and could potentially have been involved if a particular method had been used.

The defense further argued that not all body tissues removed during medical procedures are legally treated as human organs. Referring to gallbladder removal surgeries, counsel stated that such tissues are routinely disposed of by hospitals through approved medical procedures.

Judge Majoka commented that his own gallbladder had been removed in the past and joked that he did not know where it had eventually gone. The defense counsel responded lightheartedly that, “Perhaps the FIA might have arrested someone over that as well.”

Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that more than 1,000 human placenta specimens had been recovered during the investigation and that all accused were arrested from the scene. It further stated that medical experts’ reports had already been submitted before the court.

The prosecution urged the court to reject the bail applications, arguing that sufficient evidence existed to warrant continued custody of the accused during the investigation.

After hearing arguments from both sides and reserving its judgment, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court announced its decision and dismissed the post-arrest bail applications of all four accused persons.

The case pertains to the alleged illegal trade and handling of human placenta, which remains under investigation by the relevant authorities.