Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Sep 13: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has officially begun investigating the sensational Sandalwood drug case. People who have so far been arrested and the remaining accused are being questioned.

Meanwhile, CCB police have arrested accused Vaibhav Jain. Vaibhav was absconding as soon as CCB police arrested Ravishankar and other actresses of Sandalwood. He was produced in the court and handed over to CCB custody for five days.

Vaibhav Jain, who is presently residing in Bengaluru was allegedly active in drug dealings for many years. He shares good rapport with another accused Ravishankar. Vaibhav used to procure drugs from Nigerian nationals and sell the same to high profile individuals. He is said to be one of the main kingpins of drug network in the city. He used to supply drugs to Ravishankar, who in turn used to supply the same to Sandalwood actresses, sources said.

The ED got into the Sandalwood drugs case as soon as it came to know that there was a connection between Swapna Suresh, who is arrested in the gold smuggling case in Kerala, and the accused in the Sandalwood drugs case.

A senior officer of ED said that inquiry will be conducted in phases with regards to the financial dealing, bank accounts and property of the accused. The officer also said that many of the accused are in custody. Once their inquiry is over with CCB, they will be questioned by the ED.

The CCB also suspects that high-profile party organiser Viren Khanna, who has been arrested in this case, may have an international drug mafia link as he used to host parties across the globe.

ED officials visited CCB office and questioned several accused, including Viren Khanna, Niyaz and Ravishankar. Sources said that ED has collected passport and other documents belonging to Khanna.

Social worker Prashanth Sambaragi, who had conducted many press conferences on the murky drug dealings, did not give any information or documents so far to CCB. Police sources said that Sambaragi did not provide any information that was complimentary to the investigation. So he has been asked to present himself for inquiry once again. Rumours are making rounds that Sambaragi has tried to mislead the police personnel.

Sambaragi, who attended the CCB inquiry on Saturday, based on the notice served to him, was subjected many hours of interrogation by ACP Gautam and inspector Mohammed Sirajuddin.

During inquiry, it is learnt that, Sambaragi was questioned by CCB sleuths on his photo with accused Rahul and his links with him. It is said that Sambaragi said that he had met Rahul through a common friend many years ago.

Actresses Ragini and Sanjana, who are in the women relief center, are cooperating with the investigating officers, it is learnt. Court had directed both to cooperate with the CCB police in inquiry.

CCB has intensified its efforts to arrest Sheikh Faizal, one more accused in the case, who is said to be close aide of a MLA. It is said that accused Sheikh had partnership in the sponsorship of a team that took part in the cricket league that was held in Dubai.