The arrest of Aryan Khan in the drugs-related case has led to political slugfest between the NCP and Central Government
As a worried nation watches in disbelief, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leaders in Mumbai are fighting a fierce battle against the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) just because it is actively trying to burst the bigger drug nexus that is harming the nation. Last month when the NCB raided a cruise ship named 'Cordelia' in Mumbai sea and arrested many celebrities and high profile personalities including Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, it seemed like a regular raid on a rave party of Bollywood's spoilt sons and daughters. But soon the Narcotics Control Bureau revealed that it suspects a bigger nexus of drug peddlers and the raid was conducted to burst part of that nexus. And as it revealed the name of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan's 23-year-old son Aryan's name among the arrested people from the cruise, Sharad Pawar's NCP immediately sprung up to oppose the arrests and the raid itself. The turn of events surprised the nation.
NCB Facing Hurdles in Exposing Bollywood-Narco Link
Sharad Pawar's NCP is still engaged in fighting against the Narcotics Control Bureau. Maharashtra's Minorities Development and Skill Development Minister Nawab Malik, who happens to be NCP's spokesperson till date, holds a press conference daily to attack the Narcotics Control Bureau. Even Sharad Pawar himself held two press conferences in two days to attack the NCB.
Sharad Pawar’s Alleged Involvement with Underworld
Nawab Malik's son-in-law was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in January this year under drug peddling charges, and he was in jail for more than eight months. That may justify Nawab Malik's ferocity against the NCB. But what about Sharad Pawar himself? Why did he get himself engaged in this fight against the Narcotics Control Bureau? The citizens of India are dumbfounded by the involvement of the veteran politician himself. There have been allegations of Sharad Pawar being hand in gloves with the underworld mafias. But this naked involvement in a furious fight against the NCB and his blatant defence of the druggist celebrity have been negatively noted by the electorate, feel political observers.
Mumbai's rich circles know who is a druggist and from where the drugs are supplied. Still the battle against drugs was more of a token act here and there till the Modi Government came to power
This is not the first time that the Narcotics Control Bureau has acted against Bollywood celebrities. The battle against Bollywood drug nexus is decades old. It's a known fact in Bollywood circles that many high profile actors and the youngsters of their families are involved in drug abuse. Mumbai's rich circles know who is a druggist and from where the drugs are supplied. Still the battle against drugs was more of a token act here and there till the Modi Government came to power.
Central Government Acted Swiftly
The Modi Government started implementing the available laws strictly and efficiently. The NCB was given more powers and political backing it needed as the drug menace was spreading among the middle class children. Last year, when actor Sushant Singh Rajput died an unnatural death, it was alleged that he was under drug influence. Albeit his fans alleged that the charge was stamped upon him to hide his murder. The NCB started a fresh investigation into the Bollywood connection in the drug racket.
Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was mysteriously found dead in his high profile apartment last year on June 14 June 2020 seven days after the mysterious death of his secretary Disha Salian on June 7/8 midnight in 2020.
The Mumbai Police had closed both cases in hest concluding that both were suicides. Sushant Singh Rajput's fans were yielding and the pressure from them made the Central Government announce a CBI probe. The probe is still on, but the CBI enquiry allegedly revealed widespread drug abuse among the Bollywood celebrities. That brought the Narcotics Control Bureau in the picture. And as NCB proceeded, it started stumbling upon new evidence that suggests a political nexus with Bollywood elements that facilitates drug peddling. After thorough investigations, the Narcotics Control Bureau arrested Sameer Khan, son-in-law of Maharashtra Skill Development and Minorities Affairs Minister Nawab Malik. On the basis of evidence produced by NCB, Sameer Khan was rejected bail again and again and was in NCB’s custody for more than eight months.
The Narcotics Control Bureau feared the worst. And the NCP came openly furiously fighting against the Narcotics Bureau and started personal attacks and defamation of Bureau's Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede. He and his family were cursed publicly by Nawab Malik while he conducted various press conferences. As Wankhede held ground tightly, the Narcotics Control Bureau and Central Home Ministry backed him firmly. However, the Thackeray Government threatened to slap cases against Wankhede.
Wankhede eventually moved to Mumbai High Court. The HC ordered the State Government to give three days' notice to Wankhede before arresting him. Simultaneously, the Narcotics Control Bureau shifted the high-profile cruise drug raid case to its headquarters in Delhi. Bureau also increased the investigating team strength with allocating more officers.
The society in general knew of the Bollywood involvement in drug abuse as many celebrity children were caught red handed in the past by the police or the Narcotics Control Bureau. The involvement of political leaders in drug business was part of public gossip for decades. Today the entire NCP came openly in defence of drug peddlers and is furiously fighting daily fights with the Narcotics Bureau to ward off looming arrests of its leaders. As was evident, Nawab Malik's son-in-law is involved in drug business and is openly being defended by the ruling alliance of Maharashtra.
Big Exposes Against NCP and Nawab Malik
BJP's Mohit Kambhoj has exposed NCP links with the drug mafia in a press conference. He told the media that the entire cruise drug party was the brainchild of NCP liasoner Sunil Patil. Sunil Patil has been a member of NCP since its foundation. He is seen in Mantralaya in the cabins of many high-profile Ministers of NCP. Mohit Kamboj has released Sunil Patil's photographs and phone records and conversation tapes that reveal his involvement in the drugs business. Sunil Patil is said to be the connection between drug lords, bollywood and politicians. Mohit Kamboj has demanded an NIA enquiry against Sunil Patil. Kamboj accused NCP and Nawab Malik of shielding Sunil Patil as he is linked with higher ups of NCP.
Nawab Malik is still a Minister in the Thackeray government. He is so powerful, that he has single handedly reversed many decisions of the Thackeray Government in the last two years. He was also a Minister in all previous Congress and NCP governments.
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has revealed in a press conference with supporting papers that Nawab Malik has purchased prime land in Mumbai's Kurla area at peanut price from serial bomb blast culprits of Dawood gang. One of the land owners is the bodyguard of Hasina Parkar, Dawood's sister, who looks after Dawood's underworld business and his benami properties in Mumbai and India. Fadnavis has also demanded an enquiry by central agencies into the relations of Nawab Malik and the underworld and said that it has to be investigated whether the land was purchased to shield it from seizure as the owners are serving life terms under TADA. As per TADA law, the properties of the persons proved guilty under TADA are seized. Fadnavis has called for a deep enquiry into the matters.
BJP leaders have also started demanding that the Central Government must publish the Vora Committee report on criminalisation of politics. The Vora Committee was constituted by the PV Narasimha Rao Government and had submitted its report in October 1993. But the sensassional report was neither published nor tabled in the Parliament.
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