The excise and prohibition department, which is probing the drugs case, has made it clear that it would not accept things lying down. On Monday, the Director of Prohibition and Excise, Dr. Akun Sabharwal, responded to his detractors by conveying that a defamation case might be on the cards.
“It is not right to target one person, team or a whole department and it is nothing but defamation. Accusing the officers of not doing their duties properly is also defamation. If it is not stopped, we will seek legal remedies for this,” he said, talking to media persons outside Abkari Bhavan where the office of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is located.
A few members of the film industry and some politicians have criticised the way the drugs case is being handled by the investigating officials and their treatment of film personalities.
On day five of questioning of those suspected to have connections with the drugs case, Mr. Sabharwal said they were following the Supreme Court guidelines and acting as per the powers conferred on them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 during the investigation.
He said that samples of body fluid, hair and nails were being taken only after a written consent was given by those called for questioning. He clarified that the samples had been collected only from two members who appeared before the SIT but did not name them. To date, director Puri Jagannath, cinematographer Shyam K Naidu, actors Subbaraju and Tarun have appeared before the SIT after receiving notices.
It was actor Navdeep’s turn on Monday and he was questioned from 10.30 am. A total of 19 persons were arrested, seven cases booked and 27 questioned in the case which started with the arrest of Calvin Mascarenhas and seizure of large amounts of hard drugs from him.
The questioning was taking place in the presence of four investigating officials and the entire process was being recorded. It was sealed and submitted to the court, Mr. Sabharwal said.
He said that best interviewing techniques were being followed which included medical attention when needed and also having a female officer in the team.
Showing the notice handed over to actress Charmme, he said that they had given her the option of questioning at any location of her choice. He said father of the actress had also given an acknowledgement that she would appear before the SIT at their office.
Excise Commissioner R. V. Chandravadan said experienced officers had been given the task of investigating the case and denied that only film industry members were being targeted.
Later, posters were released by the officials to create awareness on the ill-effects of drugs.
