Politics over drug kingpin arrest

Excise Minister Shambhuraj Desai (second from left). File Pic/Atul Kamble

The arrest of drug kingpin Lalit Patil has led to a major political controversy. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sushma Andhare has alleged that the Sena (Shinde) ministers Dada Bhuse and Shambhuraj Desai had helped Patil escape early this month from Pune's Sassoon Hospital where he was being treated. In response, Deputy Chief Minister (Home) Devendra Fadnavis hinted that the police probe would shut the mouths of politicians who were making allegations. Bhuse and Desai have denied the charges and said they were ready to face an inquiry.

Will reveal names: Patil

While being taken to a Mumbai hospital for a mandatory check-up, Patil said on the media cameras that he did not escape from the hospital on his own on October 2, but it was planned and executed by others. He promised to reveal the names of those associated with the plan.

(From left) PWD Minister Dada Bhuse; Sushma Andhare, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader; Lalit Patil, the drug kingpin

Patil had been in Yerwada Central Prison since 2020 and was being treated since June this year. When two of his associates were arrested near the hospital with a sizable quantity of mephedrone worth Rs 2 crore, his drug network was exposed. Lalit escaped a day after his associates were arrested. The Mumbai Police had raided a factory in Nashik, allegedly owned by Patil's chemical engineer brother Bhushan, who was also arrested later for producing mephedrone in the facility.

Andhare's allegations

Andhare reiterated allegations after Patil's claims. She demanded that Bhuse, Desai and the dean of Sassoon Hospital be made to undergo a narco test, and the probe be transferred to Central agencies. Earlier, on October 13, she had asked the police to verify Bhuse and Sassoon Hospital's call records. She wanted to know whether Bhuse had taken Patil to the Kalanagar residence of Uddhav Thackeray. Similarly, Pune MLA Ravindra Dhangekar had accused a minister's hand in Patil's escape.

Will quit politics: Bhuse

PWD Minister Bhuse denied the allegations. He said on Wednesday that he would quit politics if the charges against him were proven. "I'm ready for any kind of probe and narco test. But I would also want Andhare to be subjected to the same test. We should find out who is prompting her to make such wild allegations. I think she is doing this for publicity. Since Patil has been arrested, the truth will come out now," he told the media reporters.

He said it was the second time he was responding to Andhare's allegations. "I had discussed the matter in a live debate with her on a news channel. I was ready for the probe then as well. I'm still open to it. I don't mind even an international probe," he added.

Defamation notice: Desai

Excise Minister Desai said he would quit politics if the allegations were true. "Her (Andhare's) statement deserves a laugh, but it has definitely maligned my image. I will take legal advice and serve Andhare a notice seeking an apology," he said.

Patil a pawn: Patole

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole said Patil was just a pawn in the drug business. "Who is the mastermind in this case?" he asked.

Congratulating the Mumbai Police for arresting Patil, Patole said that a large consignment of drugs had been seized in Nashik, followed by a seizure in the MIDC in Solapur. "Discovery of such consignments in Maharashtra is a shameful incident for the state.

It has come to light that Lalit Patil was availing himself of all facilities at the Sassoon Hospital. We had previously warned that efforts were being made to protect Patil. Today, our claims have proven to be true as he himself has admitted that he was being protected. We need to know who is protecting people like Lalit Patil," added Patole.

More than meets the eye: HM

In response, Fadnavis said on Wednesday that was a ‘more-than-meets-the-eye' case. "A bigger nexus will be exposed. I can't tell you much more, but I can tell you that the exposé will shut the mouth of the people who are saying such things (allegations)," he said.

Fadnavis said people attached to Sassoon Hospital were also being probed in Patil's escape. He said it was a result of the ‘drug-free' mission that the home department had started in the state. "All units have been told to bust the drug business. It was during this mission that a factory in Nashik was raided," he added.