PANJIM: The investigation agencies have begun tightening the noose around Goa-based hotelier Gaurav Arya, allegedly accused of supplying drugs to Bollywood entertainer Rhea Chakraborty.
A day after Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sleuths went on a lookout for the businessman, Enforcement Directorate on Friday issued him summons to join the probe on August 31, at 11 am.
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The agency is probing the alleged money-laundering allegations in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case. The notice was put at Arya’s resort in Anjuna, after he could not be located to hand it over in person.
The notice said that Arya has to report to ED Assistant Director Rajiv Kumar on August 31, at 11 am, in connection with the case ECIR/MB20-5/31/2020 booked under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
On Wednesday, the NCB registered a case against Chakraborty, her brother Showik, Arya, Jaya Saha, Sushant’s co-manager Shruti Modi under Sections 20 (b) 28, 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. On Thursday, a team of NCB landed in Goa to question Arya pertaining to allegations of supplying drugs to Chakraborty. The hotelier’s whereabouts are however not known with the agencies on a look out for him.
It has come to the fore that ED obtained deleted WhatsApp messages that allegedly indicate dealings in banned drugs and chats about the procurement and consumption of drugs.
Arya’s lawyer, in his interview with national media, has denied his client’s association with the accused or the deceased.
Meanwhile, the NCB team is likely to visit Arya’s house, also in Goa.
