Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi’s Mumbai house was searched by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the Bengaluru Police on Thursday. Oberoi’s house was raided in connection with his brother-in-law Aditya Alva’s suspected involvement in the Sandalwood drug trafficking case.
Alva, son of former minister late Jeevaraj Alva, has been absconding since September 4 when the police launched a crackdown against drug peddlers, suppliers and rave party organisers. Along with Alva, prime accused Shivaprakash Chuppi and Sheik Faazil have also been absconding. The three had reportedly told the NCB sleuths that they were supplying drugs to Kannada film actors and singers.
“Vivek Oberoi is his relative and we got some information that Alva is there…So a court warrant was obtained and the Central Crime Branch team has gone to his house in Mumbai,” a police officer told news agency PTI. “Police felt that the actor might be aware of his whereabouts and so the searches were carried out. However, they did not divulge the outcome of the raid.”
Over 15 people have been arrested in this Sandalwood drug racket, including Kannada film actresses Ragini Dwivedi, Sanjjanaa Galrani, rave party organiser Viren Khanna, realtor Rahul Thonse, and a few Nigerians. Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani are under judicial custody.
Police had said Viren Khanna is a big catch. “He (Khanna) is the main person who organises big parties where drugs are consumed. He was in Delhi and two CCB police inspectors had gone to Delhi and arrested him.”
A month ago, Diganth Manchale and wife Aindrita Ray came to the CCB office for questioning. They were quizzed by the crime branch sleuths for over three hours before being let go.
The racket was exposed by Kannada filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh earlier this year. While NCB has conducted many raids in Bengaluru which even includes Alva’s house, the CCB has expanded its probe.
