Madhya Pradesh Minister's Brother Arrested in Major Marijuana Smuggling Operation

Police in Madhya Pradesh's Satna have apprehended Anil Bagri, brother of Minister of State Pratima Bagri, in a significant anti-drug trafficking operation for alleged marijuana smuggling involvement. Another suspect, Pankaj Singh, was also arrested in the operation.

Authorities seized 46 kg of marijuana valued at Rs 9.22 lakh from the accused. The illegal substance was discovered concealed in paddy sacks at Pankaj's residence in Marounha village. Police reports indicate the vehicle used for transportation belongs to Shailendra Singh Rajawat, a suspect who remains at large.

This arrest follows the recent detention of Minister Pratima Bagri's brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh, in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, where he was found with 10.5 kg of marijuana. Shailendra is currently imprisoned in Banda jail for another NDPS case and had previously been arrested in Satna for allegedly trafficking narcotic cough syrup in an operation worth approximately Rs 5.5 crore.

With both the minister's brother and brother-in-law now implicated in separate narcotics cases, concerns regarding political influence, oversight, and law enforcement transparency have emerged once again.

When journalists questioned Minister Pratima Bagri during a Khajuraho review meeting about her relatives' alleged drug smuggling involvement, she responded with visible irritation, saying, "Zabardasti ki baat kyun karte ho tumlog?" (Why do you talk unnecessarily?)

A video recording of this interaction has since gone viral, prompting strong criticism from opposition parties.

The Congress party shared the clip on social media with a critical caption: "Look at the anger of the Minister Sahiba when asked about her brother arrested in a smuggling case! Relatives of ministers in the BJP government are now openly being caught smuggling. Chief Minister, ask your Home Minister how deep will the state be pushed into the quagmire of crime?"

According to Satna Police, acting on confidential information, officers raided Pankaj Singh's Marounha residence on Monday morning. They discovered four large sacks containing 48 packets of marijuana hidden beneath layers of paddy. During interrogation, Pankaj revealed that Anil Bagri and Shailendra Singh Rajawat had delivered the contraband.

Authorities have registered a case under the NDPS Act, and both arrested individuals have been remanded to 12 days of judicial custody at Central Jail.