Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Sanjeev Jain remanded Manoj Kumar (27), who allegedly assisted kidney thugs during transplants at Gurgaon, to CBI custody till February 23 for intensive interrogation.

A K Singh, appearing for the CBI, argued that Kumar was working in the allegedly illegal hospital in Gurgaon run by the main accused Dr Kumar.

Singh alleged that Manoj worked as a conduit to arrange poor people whose kidneys could be removed by the doctors involved in the scam.

The CBI sought his remand to unearth the deep-routed conspiracy and to find out his involvement with other accused, including doctors. Singh said custodial interrogation of Kumar was essential in the interest of justice.