MD drugs and raw materials worth ₹ 1,814 crore were seized from a factory in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh. | Photo Credit: PTI
A day after the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) raided a factory on the outskirts of Bhopal and seized more than 900 kg of the drug mephedrone (MD), the Madhya Pradesh Government and Police have come under heavy criticism. of the Congress who stated that one of those arrested was an associate of Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda and demanded his resignation.
After the operation, the Bhopal Police also booked two persons who, it said, sold and leased the plots where the illegal factories were operating and they did not inform the authorities about the sale or lease of the premises.
In the biggest illegal manufacturing bust, Gujarat ATS along with NCB on Saturday raided a unit in Bagroda industrial area of Bhopal district and seized 907 kilograms of MD worth ₹1,814 crore. According to ATS, the plant has the capacity to produce 25 kg of MD per day.
Three people, identified as Amit Chaturvedi, 57, resident of Bhopal; Sanyal Bane, 40, a resident of Nashik Maharashtra; and Harish Aanjana, 32, a resident of Mandsaur MP, were arrested for allegedly running a drug production and supply racket.
The two men booked by the MP Police, under section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, have been identified as Jaideep Singh and SK Singh.
Katara Hills police station incharge Vijendra Nigam told The Hindu that the plot where the factory is set up was given to Mr. Jaideep Singh in 2017-18 by the Department of Industries, which was completed in 2022.
Mr. Nigam said that Mr. Jaideep Singh had sold the plot to Mr. SK Singh, a retired employee of BHEL, who leased it to Mr. Chaturvedi about six months ago who had engaged in such illegal activities.
“Neither the Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (MPAKVN) nor the police were informed about this. According to MPIDC (MP Industrial Development Corporation) data, this plot is registered in the name of M/s Vastukaar Proprietor, the original owner of which is Jaideep Singh.
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari held a press conference to demand Mr. Devda’s resignation while stating that Mr. Aanjana was a “close ally” of the Deputy CM.
Mr. Patwari, displaying some photos, said, “He has around 500 photos and videos with the Deputy CM on his social media profile. He is a member of the (Bharatiya Janata) Yuva Morcha.
Mr. Devda is a four-term MLA from Mandsaur district of Malhargarh (SC reserved) Assembly constituency.
Mr Patwari also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over allegations that the Congress leader was linked to the drug racket at a recent rally.
“The Congress wants to push the country’s youth into drug addiction and use that money to contest and win elections,” Mr Modi said at a rally in Maharashtra’s Washim last week.
After playing the Prime Minister’s comments on video, Mr. Patwari said, “I have a question for the Prime Minister and Chief Minister MP (Mohan Yadav). Will you take the resignation of the Deputy CM now? Should it be taken or not?”
Mr. Patwari also claimed that the local media had information for one month and his party for two months that both agencies were working in the State.
“However, the MP Police and the agency did not participate in the operation. Why? Because, they colluded in this. Because, if they work together (in the operation), the culprits will not be caught,” he said.
State BJP chief VD Sharma, however, denied that Mr Aanjana had any ties to the party and claimed that “a joint operation by MP Police and Intelligence, Gujarat ATS and NCB has created a ruckus among Congress leaders”.
“They have shared photos. In politics, anyone is clicked with anyone,” he said, asking if the intelligence agency and the police would work after giving information to Mr. Patwari.
Mr. Yadav also stated that MP police and agencies have cooperated with NCB and Gujarat ATS in the operation.
The CM also took X on Sunday to share a letter and post from Gujarat Government Minister Harsh Sanghvi, in which he thanked the MP Police.
However, Mr. Patwari claimed that Mr. Sanghvi’s original post did not mention the Madhya Pradesh Police.
Published – 07 October 2024 21:39 IST
