Sandalwood drug racket: BJP 'disowns' arrested actor Ragini Dwivedi, says 'not a member'

Amid ongoing 'Sandalwood' drug bust, BJP Karnataka on Sunday, distanced itself from Kanna actress Ragini Dwivedi who has been arrested in connection to case. saffron party's state unit issued a statement saying that Dwivedi h 'voluntarily' campaigned for party in 2019 by-polls. 'Disowning' Dwivedi, BJP asserted that actress was neir a BJP member r h been assigned any electioneering activities. Distancing itself from her, BJP said that it bore accountability or answerability regarding her activities.

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BJP distances from Dwivedi

Sandalwood drug racket: Arrested drug peddler names CPM state secy's son Bineesh Kodiyeri

Actress Ragini Dwivedi arrested

In connection to drug bust, Dwivedi's Bengaluru residence was raided by Central Crime Branch (CCB). actress too confirmed in a series of tweets on Thursday that she has been summoned, but expressed her inability to depose immediately and has sought time till Monday morning to personally appear before CCB officials. She was later arrested by CCB.

Kerala Congress links gold smuggling case with Sandalwood drug bust; demands CBI probe

Bineesh Kodiyeri named by drug peddler

On Friday, CPI(M) state secretary's son - Kanna actor Bineesh Kodiyeri 's name emerged in ongoing 'Sandalwood' drug racket after one of arrested accused - a drug peddler - Mohammed Aop confessed to kwing Bineesh n his voluntary statement to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Aop claimed that Bineesh and ar friend helped him financially in opening 'Hyaat restaurant' in Bengaluru in 2018. Reports state that  Bineesh has close ties with Rijesh Raveendran, one of or accused arrested in case. Bineesh has accepted kwing Aop, but denies kwledge of his involvement in drugs. His far has retorted saying, ''Arrest & hang him if found guilty".

'Arrest & hang him if found guilty': CPM's Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on his son's 'drug links'

What is Sandalwood drug racket?

drug racket prevalent in Kanna film industry - 'Sandalwood' came to light when deceased journalist Gauri Lankesh's bror - Indrajit Lankesh revealed involvement of certain actors in drug menace. He named two actresses who were allegedly t being interrogated due to supposed political connection. Meanwhile, Muslim Youth League state general secretary P K Firoz connected links of Bineesh Kodeyeri with Kerala Gold smuggling case- alleging that Bineesh h called Aop 26 times day Swapna Suresh - prime accused - was arrested.

Police sources claim that drugs being supplied through ‘dark net’ was detected while raiding places belonging to a few drug peddlers. Joint commissioner of police (CCB), Sandeep Patil, stated that a tice has been issued to Lankesh summoning him for questioning. Three alleged drug peddlers - M Aop, Anikha D and R Ravindran have been arrested when NCB conducted raids in city and seized drugs like  LSD, MDM, ecstasy, cannabis worth Rs 1.25 crores which were being supplied to local youths.