Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 14: The connection of Sandalwood with the drugs menace has acquired a new twist with the collection of fresh information. The issue, which currently centres around small screen actors, is likely to be extended to cover cricketers.

In the meanwhile, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) personnel have intensified their search for accused Sheikh Faisal.

At the initial stage of the investigation, the CCB had got information about involvement of TV actors and actresses in the drugs peddling business. The police had not been able to collect tangible evidence to support the information. Now, some photographs in which Faisal is seen in the company of Delhi-based Viren Khanna, some small screen actors and cricketers, have become viral in the social media. Two well-known TV actors and a few actresses are seen in the photos. The accused have also been photographed in the company of some national and international cricketers. Therefore, the case might now get expanded to cover these actors and cricketers.

CCB sources claim that in addition to Sandalwood and Bollywood actors, cricketers had taken part in parties sponsored by Sheikh Faisal. It is said that Faisal was sponsoring a Karnataka team which took part in the T10 cricket tournament held at Abu Dhabi. Faisal had thrown a party to cricketers including those from the state and international cricket, who had taken part in the tournament.

Meanwhile, state home minister, Basavaraj Bommai, speaking to media persons in the city on Sunday September 13, said that an important phase of investigation into the drugs cartel will be held during next week during which names of important personalities who were involved with the trade would be revealed. He said that the CCB officials have been given free hand to hold a probe in an impartial manner, and reiterated that the officials have been directed to investigate the people irrespective of their public status or position. He added that border district superintendents of police have been asked to beef up vigil by employing additional staff if necessary at the check posts.

Congress leader from Hubballi in CCB radar

The drugs scandal that has rocked Sandalwood has resulted in the arrest of actresses, Ragini and Sanjana among others. Several others too have been arrested. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has questioned a Congress leader from Hubballi, who figured in a photograph found in the cell phone belonging to actress Ragini.

The CCB officials had seized the mobile phone belonging to Ragini during the raid on her residence. They found that a Congress leader from Hubballi, Girish Gaddigeppagouda, figured in one of the photos. A CCB team visited Hubballi and subjected Girish to questioning.

It is said that actress Ragini had visited Goa in the company of Girish. On the basis of this information, the officials questioned him.