Sandalwood Drug Scandal: Actor Ragini Dwivedi Granted Bail By Apex Court

Kannada actor Ragini Dwivedi, who was arrested nearly four months ago for her alleged involvement in a drug scandal, was granted bail today by the Supreme Court. The Court also ruled that no drugs were found at her home and her arrest was entirely based on the statements of the other accused. 

The 30-year-old actor was arrested in Bengaluru, in September, for allegedly consuming and supplying drugs at parties and events. She was also accused of having links with an international drug cartel involved in supplying psychedelic and other harmful drugs. Dwivedi was charged under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

On November 3, Karnataka High Court rejected her bail plea, which she later challenged. She alleged that the prosecution had falsely framed her in the case to attract public attention. Furthermore, she claimed that she had been kept in jail for more than 100 days without any evidence or recovery of drugs.

Sidharth Luthra, the actor's lawyer stated, "No drugs were found during raids at her home, except some tobacco. However, she has been in jail for around 140 days."

Supreme Court's Ruling 

The verdict was delivered by a bench headed by Justice Rohinton Nariman. He reportedly stated that Ragini Dwivedi was unfairly booked under Section 37 of the NDPS Act.

The Court said, "Section 37 was wrongly invoked by High Court and Sessions Judge. With Section 37 out of the way, this is a case where bail must follow. High Court judgment set aside, and Ragini Dwivedi must be released on bail."

The Court further added that since no drugs was found pursuant to search at premise, the farthest that could be reported is that the accused consumed drugs. 

Sandalwood Drug Scandal

In the month of August, the Central Crime Branch of Bengaluru police arrested 13 people, including, Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjana, from the Kannada film industry, also known as Sandalwood. These arrests were a part of its investigation into an alleged drug racket.

According to CCB, those arrested were a part of a network of people that organised parties in hotels, pubs, resorts and farmhouses. At these parties, drugs sourced from cartels in various parts of the country were supplied to the guests. In fact, there were links with an international drug cartel as well.