Drugs consumed in Bengaluru night clubs, not casinos: HD Kumaraswamy
The CCB is probing the involvement of Sri Lanka-based casinos owned by Bengaluru businessmen in connection with the drug trade in Karnataka.
by Nolan PintoHD Kumaraswamy, former chief minister of Karnataka and leader of Janata Dal (Secular), claimed drug-related activities take place in night bars that are open till 5 am. He was responding to a question about a drug nexus that is being probed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) involving 'Kannada-Sandalwood' film industry members among others.
The investigation has led the CCB to probe the involvement of casinos owned by Bengaluru-based businessmen in Sri Lanka in Karnataka's drug trade.
"Today, what you are asking about casinos, the difference is that these drug-related issues take place in Bengaluru's night bars that are open till 5 am and not in casinos. At one point of time, in Bengaluru's Mallya road, if you pass by there at 12, you would wonder if you are India or somewhere else. It is in local five stars (hotels," HD Kumaraswamy told India Today.
On Sunday, Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the situation in the state regarding drug use is alarming. "International cartel is working on this. There a drug nexus in all metro and not just Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata too. Joint efforts have to be done," he added.
Seven people, including Kannada actors Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani have been arrested in connection with the case. Karnataka home minister has asserted that actors are not soft targets. "It is the media who are concentrating on them. We are tracking everyone," he had said.
Prashant Sambargi, a celebrity manager and whistleblower has claimed that actor Sanjjana Galrani has links with Karnataka politicians. He went on to allege that some lawmakers, including Congress leader Zameer Ahmed, attended parties in Colombo alongside Galrani. Ahmed has denied the allegations while threatening to take legal action against Sambargi.