Sandalwood drug case: Kannada actor Ragini Dwivedi arrested by CCB

After a day full of dramatic events, film actress Ragini Dwivedi was arrested following a prolonged interrogation by Bengaluru police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths in connection with the alleged drug trade in the 'Sandalwood' (Kannada film) industry, police said on Friday.

"We have arrested Ragini to investigate her alleged involvement in the use of banned drugs and her links with drug peddlers after questioning her for over eight hours," Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Patil told reporters here.

A team of seven CCB sleuths, including women officials, on Friday, raided Dwivedi's residence at Judicial Layout in North-East Bengaluru at around 6 am. The Police have said that important stuff have been seized from her house.

"We also found important materials during the search, which we cannot reveal now as the investigation is under progress," said Police.

"Ragini will be produced before a magistrate after medical check-up and her custody sought for interrogation into her use of narcotic drugs at rave parties in the city over the months," it said.

The CCB have also filed a FIR against Ragini in the Cottonpet police station in the city centre under the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Services Act.

"Preliminary investigation of the drug links in the Kannada film industry revealed that many people were involved in peddling and consuming banned drugs," Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant had told reporters earlier.

Meanwhile, another accused have also been arrested by the police. Sandeep Patil, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), told The Indian Express, “another accused, Viren Khanna, has also been arrested. He is the main person who organises big parties where drugs consumed. He was in Delhi, two police went to Delhi and arrested him from there, taken 4 days of police custody.”

Notably, the actress had released a statement on Thursday. “I am grateful for all the concern expressed by the public about a notice I received yesterday. As I received it at very short notice, I was unable to appear today before the CCB police. However out of respect for the process of the law. My advocates have presented themselves before the police, have explained my difficulty in not being able to appear today and have sought time. I am committed to appear on Monday morning before the police,” she had posted on the micro-blogging site, Twitter.

"I consider it my duty as a citizen to humbly participate in any questioning that the police might have; I have nothing to hide and have no connection with any unlawful activity which is being probed by the CCB police. Once again, I express my gratitude for all the love, affection and concern that has been expressed," she had added.

On August 21, the Narcotics Control Bureau(NCB) arrested several drug peddler in the city. Following their lead, the NCB then arrested Ravi Shankar and Rahul, who had significant connections with the Sandalwood film industry.