Ferozepur BJP leader held with opium in Rajasthan
FEROZEPUR: In a development that could further embarrass the beleaguered Punjab BJP which is under fire after the arrest of state unit chief Kamal Sharma’s ‘ aides’ in drug cases, party’s Ferozepur minority cell chief (rural) and his three accomplices were arrested by Rajasthan Police with 3 kg opium and 190 kg poppy husk.
According to sources, Chittorgarh police on August 25 intercepted an SUV (Hyundai Creta) without a registration number at Nimana. “During the search, we recovered 3 kg opium and 190 kg poppy husk from the vehicle,” Nimana station house officer Ram Niwas told HT over phone.
“All four occupants of the vehicle were arrested. They were identified as Jarnail Singh alias Judge Nimana, president of BJP minority cell (rural), Ferozepur, Sukhwinder Singh of Sur Singh Wala village, Sadhu Ram of Sodhi Nagar village and Pargat Singh of Bhattiya Wali Basti, all in Ferozepur,” said the SHO. The accused were sent to one-week police remand and would be reproduced in court on September 1, he said. “We are trying to find out their local links and gather more information on their network,” said the officer.
The BJP leader’s ar rest prompted the Cong ress to launch a scathing attack on the saffron party and its state chief Sharma. “The fresh arrest clearly exposes BJP leaders’ involvement in drug trade. While on “Mann Ki Baat” Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses his deep concern over rise of drug trade in the country, especially Punjab, the state unit leaders are indulging into drug smuggling,” said Congress MLA Parminder Singh Pinki. “We can’t expect justice as the BJP is in power in Rajasthan. The accused can manage to come out scot-free,” alleged Pinki. “All drug cases involving BJP leaders must be handed over to the CBI under high court supervision,” he said.
Shar ma’s detractor and former BJP MLA Sukhpal Singh Nannu said: “Several people with tainted image have surrounded Kamal Sharma. The party rank and file is facing embarrassment one after another.”
Kamal Sharma could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.