I thought I would never write on the cruise drug bust and the arrest of Aryan Khan and others. The country seems divided, a few supporting the ‘poor kid’ and a few others demanding equality of justice. The Narcotics Control Bureau’s job is tough and is headed by an upright officer with unimpeachable integrity, Sameer Wankhede, who has busted several cases.
The drug is a menace, and only those families ruined by addiction would know the intensity. Peddlers roam around educational institutions, initially offering drugs for free and recruiting a few for the distribution network. Stealing from homes and even beating up aged parents, demanding money for drugs are not uncommon.
While there are periodic arrests, the big fish always escape the dragnet, as they have immense power with the police and the politicians. Therefore, it is not surprising that a leader from NCP like Nawab Malik battles for those arrested and for their release. He has gone to the extent of calling the NCB corrupt and planting drugs on innocents. Another lawmaker from Shiv Sena has moved the Supreme Court against the Cruise drug case arrests. It shows the strength of the drugs lobby to pull strings and influence public opinion.
Political opposition to Modi has sprung in stating that these arrests are merely diversionary to deviate attention from whatever. But, as in the present case, such statements are pathetic and interfere in the due process of law enforcement. The Bollywood drug abuse-related investigation began on a serious note after Sushant Singh Rajput’s untimely death. The net has now widened with the arrests of several biggies and star children.
There cannot be a lax in the war against drugs, which convert humans into lecherous animals in parties and more and more drawn unwittingly into the net. People calling the judicial system as farce must realize that a refusal of bail must be burdensome for the courts, particularly when the accused are high profile and politically connected. The mere declining bail is a pointer towards a serious and conspiratorial crime that must end.
I also wonder how a few jobless actors and actresses could earn in crores. They have few or no endorsements or ribbon-cutting engagements. So, where do they get their money? It comes from periodical bogus foreign programs, often organized in places like Dubai organized by D-company or other groups, payments often settled by hawala. These people thrive and flourish in the enormously profitable drugs trade.
Look at Sameer Wankhede. He can be eliminated by the mafia at any time, despite the so-called police protection, a mere two policemen around him. He also has a right to live like you and me, go to the bazaar, temples, take his children to school. He is constantly watched by gangsters, who are alarmed by the anti-drug battles. The nation must unequivocally stand with Wankhede and officers like him.
Let’s try to make India drugs free and save the lives and careers of millions.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
In Pic: Sameer Wankhede
