HYDERABAD: Actor Navdeep Pallapolu was grilled for 11 hours by the Special Investigation Team of Prohibition & Excise department on Monday. Unlike the two other Tollywood personalities whose hair, nail and saliva samples were collected with their permission, Navdeep is learnt to have refused to give samples for collection. The actor was summoned by the SIT after they retrieved his number in the contact list of Calvin Mascarenhas, and for having conversations with him. The interrogation that started at 10.30 am, lasted till 9.30 pm, with two breaks for lunch and snacks.
The actor has been reportedly active in organising parties and events related to the film industry had got in touch with Mascarenhas during an event held recently in Hyderabad. He had earlier claimed that he got in touch with Calvin through a friend, who was event organiser and did not have any links with the alleged key accused.
“The questioning was about my links with event managers and arrested persons, and some other questions,” said Navdeep, after his 11-hour interrogation.Responding to a query on whether he was asked to visit the SIT office again, the actor said, “They did not tell anything about revisiting, but told that they would make a call if any information is needed.”
Legal team, proficient officers’ help sought
Condemning the allegations of forcible collection of body fluids and other material from the artistes summoned, Prohibition and Excise department director Akun Sabharwal said, “Till yesterday, samples of two film personalities have been collected with their written consent which was also video-recorded. If anybody refuses to give samples, the same will be written in the case diary and submitted in the court.”
The investigation is being carried out in coordination with Central agencies including Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Narcotics Control Bureau. Senior police officers in the state, who are well-versed with investigation and forensic sciences, and support of an efficient legal team is also being taken for better investigation, said Akun.
SCORECARD:
Total arrested: 19
Questioned so far: 27
Film personalities (questioned): five
Samples collected from two film personalities
Recovery
LSD seized :3,000 blots
including two vials of 50 gm (drops)
MDMA (Ecstasy): 105 gm
Cocaine: 45 gm
Magic Mushroom: 6 gm
Sabharwal meets DGP, explains progress of case
Excise Enforcement Director Akun Sabharwal called on DGP Anurag Sharma and explained the case progress. The meet was significant after a section of people from political parties and Tollywood fraternity made allegations that the investigation has been diverted by letting off key drug peddlers and a few influential persons.
Bail denied
Nampally court on Monday denied bail petition filed by Abdul Waheb and Abdul Quddoos, siblings, who were arrested by the State Task Force on July 3, along with Calvin Mascarenhas, in connection with the drug trafficking in Hyderabad.
8 kg ganja seized, 3 arrested
The Task Force police on Monday arrested three persons in possession of ganja. Police seized 8 kg ganja from the accused. Those arrested are Maruthi Rathod, Karra Nehru, Ajmeera Sawai Singh, all residents of Sangareddy. Another person Mothi Ram is still absconding. Police said that Mothi Ram, an auto driver, had asked the accused to come to his residence and collect ganja. The accused collected ganja from Ram and went to Golconda to sell it. On a tip off, cops carried out raids and detained the trio.