Bail plea of four suspects dismissed in human placenta trade case

An Islamabad court has refused post-arrest bail to four suspects arrested in a case involving alleged illegal trade of human placenta.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced the ruling after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defence and reviewing the investigation record.

Opposing the bail applications, prosecutors informed the court that authorities had recovered more than 1,000 human placenta samples during a raid. They said all four suspects were arrested from the premises where the alleged illegal activity was taking place and argued that medical experts' reports had already been submitted as part of the investigation.

The defence maintained that placenta should not be treated as a human organ under the relevant law. Lawyers argued that it has recognised medical applications and is used in various treatment procedures.

During the hearing, the defence said placenta-derived tissue could be used in some hair restoration procedures. 

After reserving the verdict earlier in the proceedings, Judge Majoka rejected the post-arrest bail applications of all four suspects.