Sandalwood Drug Scandal: Aditya Alva moves Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of FIR, Ragini Dwivedi files bail application

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has informed the Karnataka High Court that it has found incriminating evidence from Aditya Alva’s residence in connection with the Sandalwood drug scandal case.

. A Bench of Justice Suraj Govindaraj was told of this development by the CCB while hearing a plea filed by Aditiya Alva seeking to quash the First Information Report (FIR) filed against him by the Cottonpet Police Station in the ongoing drugs case.

. The police had registered a case against Alva and four others under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act , 1985 (NDPS) Act and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

. In the statement of objections filed in response to Alva’s petition, CCB said it had found MDMA pills, marijuana and other materials while searching his house in September.

. The petition filed by Alva states that unqualified allegations have been made in the complaint, which had no mention of the commission of a cognizable offence.

. The plea further argues that the complaint does not even remotely fulfil the ingredients of offences under which the crime is registered against Alva. The plea reads,

. "A cursory perusal of the provisions of the Act that is pressed into service by the Respondent police against the petitioner read in juxtaposition with the averments in the complaint filed by the 2nd Respondent on the basis of which crime came to be registered would in cyrstal clear terms indicate that averments-infromation made by the 2nd respondent has absolutely no nexus whatsoever with the ingredients of the offence for which crime is registered by the 1st Respondent Police as against the Petitioner. In fact, the name of the petition only appears twice in the entire complaint and that too, on a bald and unqualified allegation which forms the sole basis for registration of the crime and investigation as against the petitioner ."

. This apart, the plea also states that Alva and his family members have deep roots in society and enjoy an immense amount of respect and recognition. The acts of the police have caused irreparable damage to the petitioner as well as his family, thus violating his right to live with dignity, envisaged under Article 21, it is averred.

. On these arguments, the plea seeks to quash the FIR against Alva in the matter. Senior Advocate CV Nagesh assisted by Advocate Ajay Kadkol will be appearing for Alva in the matter.

. The matter has been adjourned to November 13.

. Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi has also filed a petition seeking bail in connection with the Sandalwood drug scandal case.

. The petition mainly states since the seizure or the possession of the drugs was not specifically from Dwivedi, the same cannot be attributed to her.

. Advocate Kalyan Krishna will be appearing on behalf of Dwivedi. The matter will be heard by Justice BA Patil on October 23.

. The High Court had recently issued notice in a bail application filed on behalf of actress Sanjjanaa Galrani , who was arrested in connection with the case.

. Recently, a Special NDPS Court refused to grant bail to Kannada actresses Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani.

. Both actresses were reportedly taken into custody based on a suo motu case registered at the Cottonpet police station for allegedly consuming and supplying banned narcotic substances at parties and events that they used to organise.

. They were booked under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act , 1985 (NDPS Act), and the Indian Penal Code.

Sandalwood Drug Scandal: Aditya Alva moves Karnataka High Court seeking quashing of FIR, Ragini Dwivedi files bail application

Rintu Mariam Biju

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