The main accused in the case is serial actress Anigha. The contacts of second accused Mohammed Anoop and third accused Palakkad native Rijesh Raveendran, including those in film industry in Kerala are being probed, said NCB officials. They will also investigate about those who lent money for Anoop’s hotel business.
Anoop had revealed that Bineesh Kodiyeri, son of CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had lent money. The officials informed that it was found out that those who gave him money have no direct involvement in the drug smuggling. But they will also be questioned, if necessary, they said.
NCB informed that no evidence to prove the links between Anoop and the accused in the gold smuggling case is received yet. However, the statement given by the arrested hints at some top political centres in Kerala. After recording the statements, the agencies will issue notice to many in the state to appear before them in Bengaluru. More actions will be taken based on evidences. It is likely that some will be arrested in Kerala also.
Actress Ragini’s friend arrested
In connection with the drug smuggling, Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi’s friend Ravishankar (32) has bee arrested by the Central Crime Branch. Ravishanakar was arrested on the basis of the statement of the accused in the drug bust case. Ragini Dwivedi has been given a notice asking to appear before the Central Crime Branch on Friday.
Apart from this, 27 people were arrested in raids held at various gambling centres in Bengaluru and premises. Crime Branch rerecorded the statement from director Indrajith Lankesh who is also brother of murdered journalist Gauri Lankesh. Earlier, Indrajith Lankesh had alleged that drug use is prevalent in film industry.
Betrayer in gold smuggling
The probe team received more evidence for proving Anoop acted as a betrayer in gold smuggling and drug deals. The NCB officials had received a call from Chennai on the day Anoop was arrested. The caller said that Anoop betrayed the gold smugglers and that they would be happy if he is arrested. NCB is rechecking the drug cases in Kerala as there are clues regarding Anoop’s connections in Malayalam film industry.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the government need not intervene in the drug bust case in which a friend of Bineesh Kodiyeri was arrested in Bengaluru. The agency will take action if there are any illegal matters. The person involved in the issue clarified the same. The probe will continue, the chief minister stated.
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