HYDERABAD: In a joint operation with the Cyberabad Special Operations Team, Gachibowli police on Sunday arrested three individuals, including the son of a BJP leader, for consumption of cocaine at the Radisson Blu hotel in Gachibowli.
Among those arrested is Gajjala Vivekanand (37), son of BJP leader Gajjala Yoganand and director of the Manjeera group of companies. Vivekanand is also one of the directors of the hotel where he allegedly consumed drugs.
Besides Vivekanad, the police also nabbed businessmen Nirbhay and Vivekanand for consumption of cocaine. Syed Abbas Ali Jeffrey, who is believed to be their supplier and six others are currently absconding, the police said.
In the wee hours of Sunday, the police received credible information that Vivekanand and his friends were consuming drugs at the hotel. However, when the police raided the hotel, they were not to be found. They instead found three used plastic sachets of cocaine (each of one gram) and white paper roll for usage of the drug.
Since there were traces of cocaine, the police teams immediately visited Vivekanand’s house at Jubilee Hills. But the accused did not respond to the police. At around 6 am, when he opened the gate and came outside, the police arrested him and tested him for drugs.
“He tested positive for consumption of drugs. We then took a urine test, where he again tested positive for cocaine,” said Madhapur DCP G Vineeth.
The police also revealed that upon interrogation, Vivekanand disclosed that he organised a party for his friends with cocaine at the hotel.
“The samples of the other two individuals have also been sent for medical examinations to check for drug consumption,” the DCP said. “CCTV footage is being verified to find the others who are absconding,” he added. In this instance, the police have registered a case against 10 individuals under sections 8(C), 21(b), 25, 27(a) and 29 of the NDPS Act.
Stating that a case will be booked against the hotel as well, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty warned farmhouses and restaurants to keep a close watch for drug consumption on their premises. “Strict action will be taken, including sealing of place where drugs are consumed,” Mohanty added.