Centre will decide on CBI probe into drug nexus: CM

PANJIM, FEB 16
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Wednesday said the decision to hand over drug nexus case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would be taken by Union Home Ministry.
“Home Minister Ravi Naik, in the recently held Legislative Assembly, had tabled the letter written by Chief Secretary urging the Union Home Ministry to hand over the drug-nexus case to CBI”, Kamat told reporters.
Pointing to the CBI’s reply before the High Court, Kamat said the State Government cannot be blamed for this as the CBI is governed by the Union Home Ministry that has to hand over the case to the agency.
“The matter is now not in our hand. CBI will investigate the case only after receiving communication from the Central ministry”, he added.
In a reply before the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, CBI had mentioned it had not received any such request for taking over the case.
CBI had stated that such cases should be investigated by the State police or the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Last year, Israeli drug peddler Yaniv Benaim alias Atala had admitted links with the policemen and accordingly, seven police officers were suspended and arrested by the Crime Branch.
In yet another revelation, earlier this year, Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Sunil Gudlar was caught on camera trying to push drugs to two foreigners. Gudlar is under suspension.
After intense pressure, the Home Minister had made a statement on the floor of the House that both the drug nexus cases were being handed over to CBI.
The Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar had asked Naik to table the letters written to the Union Home Ministry by the State Government.