Kannada Actor Ragini Dwivedi Arrested In Connection With Drugs Case

In a day of dramatic developments, film actress Ragini Dwivedi was arrested after prolonged interrogation by Bengaluru police's Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths in connection with the alleged drug trade in the 'Sandalwood' (Kannada film) industry, police said on Friday.

"We have arrested Ragini to investigate her alleged involvement in the use of banned drugs and her links with drug peddlers after questioning her for over eight hours," Joint Commissioner of Police SandeepPatil told reporters here. Earlier on Friday, seven CCB sleuths, including a woman police inspector, raided her flat to find out if banned drugs were kept there. According to police sources, cigarettes with ganja were found in her flat during the raid.

"We also found important materials during the search, which we cannot reveal now as the investigation is under progress," said Patil.

"Ragini will be produced before a magistrate after medical check-up and her custody sought for interrogation into her use of narcotic drugs at rave parties in the city over the months," he said.

The CCB also filed a FIR against Ragini in the Cottonpet police station in the city centre under the Narcotic Drug and Psychotropic Services Act.

Ragini, 30, entered the film industry with her debut movie "VeeraMadakari" in 2009 and gained popularity for her stellar role in films like "KempeGowda", "Ragini IPS", "Bangari" and "Shiva".

"Preliminary investigation of the drug links in the Kannada film industry revealed that many people were involved in peddling and consuming banned drugs," Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant had told reporters earlier. (IANS)

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