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HYDERABAD: Even as the latest revelations from the ongoing probe into the drug racket shook the Telugu film industry, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday directed the police and excise officials to book cases against the culprits ‘however big they may be”.
“Hyderabad is the lifeline for Telangana. Drug trafficking and sale of adulterated products is spoiling the image of the state capital. Book cases against the perpetrators of this crime. Don’t spare even if members of my Cabinet have any role in this racket. Nobody should be spared,” the CM directed the officials.
“Drugs supply, adulteration of food items and spurious seeds are organised crimes.
here will be many partners - right from manufacturing to supply level. Hence, investigate closely. Like we have counter-intelligence to keep a tab on terrorists and anti-social elements, create a special wing for monitoring drugs and adulteration menace,” Rao directed the officials during a high-level review meeting on drugs, adulteration and other issues at Pragati Bhavan on Sunday.
The Chief Minister said his government is giving complete freedom to the officials on this issue. KCR also said that it was he who had asked the excise & enforcement director Akun Sabharwal not to go on leave as the drugs case is being investigated. He also said the state government will give awards to the lower-rung police officers who nab the drug peddlers, on August 15.
According to sources, during the meeting, Akun Sabharwal gave details on the progress of the ongoing investigation involving Tollywood celebrities in the drug case.
Rao stated that the government is ready to modify the existing Acts to give the culprits life imprisonment.
“Adulteration of food is equal to poisoning. We should not let the culprits go scot-free. Find out the real kingpins. Along with Drugs, Cannabis (Ganja) is also being supplied in the city and find out where it is being cultivated,” the CM ordered.
The meeting was attended by ministers- N Narasimha Reddy and Padma Rao, government’s chief advisor Rajiv Sharma, DGP Anurag Sharma, excise commissioner Chandravadan, excise & enforcement director Akun Sabharwal and others.
Powers delegated to officials
CMO officials - S Narsing Rao and Shanti Kumari to monitor the matter regarding providing financial assistance to those shifting from illicit liquor making to other alternative professions
Hyderabad police commissioner Mahender Reddy to recommend to the government on amending the existing Acts to control drugs and other organised crimes
Intelligence chief Navinchand to take responsibility of forming a wing on the lines of counter-intelligence to control organised crimes such as drug trafficking
Excise commissioner Chandravadan and excise & enforcement director Akun Sabharwal to investigate the drugs cases
KCR briefed on various issues
The DGP explained to KCR measures taken to control adulteration of food items and spurious seeds. As many as 56 teams are working on the spurious seeds issue and 14 on adulteration of food items. As far as spurious seeds are concerned, so far 77 cases have been booked and 72 persons have been arrested. As many as 340 cases were booked for food adulteration and 562 were arrested.