MP: Minister Pratima Bagri’s brother Anil arrested with 46 kg ganja, brother-in-law also jailed in another related case

Satna: The drug smuggling case related to the family of Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri has once again gained momentum. Satna police has arrested the minister’s brother Anil Bagri along with one of his associates on charges of smuggling 46 kg of ganja. After presenting them in court, both have been sent to Central Jail.

This matter has become serious because just a few days ago, on December 3, the minister’s brother-in-law Shailendra Singh alias Simmu was also arrested by the Banda Police of Uttar Pradesh in another case of ganja smuggling. He is currently lodged in Banda jail.

Arrested with 46 kg ganja in Satna

According to the police, Anil Bagri along with his associate Pankaj Singh was carrying a consignment of ganja in a car (MH 49 BB 9699). On the information of the informer, the police laid a trap and caught them and during the search recovered 46 kg of ganja from the car. After this action, political turmoil has intensified in Satna.

Brother in law has already been arrested in UP

The layers of this network started unraveling when on December 3, the Nareni police station of Banda district of Uttar Pradesh took a major action. In that operation, the police had arrested five people including the minister’s brother-in-law Shailendra Singh along with 10 kg 400 grams of ganja. A 315 bore pistol, cartridges, a car and a motorcycle were also seized from them. Deepak, Buddhavilas, Mahipat and Abhilash were also caught along with Shailendra.

Opposition made allegations of political patronage

After these arrests the opposition has targeted the government. Kalpana Verma, former MLA from Raigaon seat, has alleged that the drug network in the area is getting political protection, due to which illegal businessmen are fearless.

“Shailendra Singh, who was caught by Banda police, had already been caught with intoxicating cough syrup in Satna, but no concrete action could be taken then.” — Kalpana Verma, former MLA

He said that due to political pressure, laxity was maintained in such cases earlier also. The arrest of two members of the same family with drugs within a span of a few days raises many serious questions. The police is now busy searching for other members of this entire network.