Sandalwood Drug Scandal: Special Court to pass order in Ragini Dwivedi, Sanjjanaa Galrani bail pleas on Monday; ED gets 5-day custody

On Monday, a Special NDPS Court will pass its order in the bail pleas moved by Kannada actresses Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani in connection with the Sandalwood drug case..The Special Court had reserved its order on Friday. While doing so, it granted the Enforcement Directorate (ED) five days' judicial custody of Dwivedi and Galrani, along with three other accused persons. .The Court granted the same after the ED moved an application seeking to interrogate the actresses and others for their alleged involvement in a money laundering case pertaining to the drug racket in the Kannada film industry..In its plea, ED has contended that the nature of the present case is such that, prima facie, the charges against the actresses and other accused persons could also attract several provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act..In this regard, the petition states, ."....the Directorate is pursuing further investigation to know all aspects connected with the offence committed by Respondents (2 - 6)...The accused were arrested by the Central Crime Branch, Bengaluru in the above mentioned case for having found in the possession of drugs/Psychotropic substances which were beyond the permissible limits of their residence and found to be financing illicit traffic of drugs along with huge proceeds of Crime...."Application filed by ED.The plea also states that having the accused persons in judicial custody was essential to trace details of their purchases and investments etc.."To unearth/trace the properties, which are acquired by the accused by way of extortion, killing, dealing of drugs etc, recording written statement from accused person is essential to know the details of properties purchased and investments made out of the proceeds of crime and also the details of persons assisted him in placement/layering and money laundering.".Earlier this month, both actresses were arrested after being booked under the various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act), and the Indian Penal Code (IPC)..Sandalwood Drug Scandal: Bail pleas filed by Kannada actresses Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani deferred to September 21