The Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS) told a magistrate’s court on Friday that the drug transaction in which IPS officer Saji Mohan was allegedly involved could be part of an organised crime syndicate.
It also said it was possible that Mohan and alleged associates Vicky Oberoi and Rakesh Khatariya were involved in many such ‘deliveries’.
Oberoi, a fisheries exporter from Oshiwara, and Khatariya, a former constable with Haryana police, were arrested on January 17. A total of 1.75 kg of heroin had been seized from them and their interrogation had revealed Mohan’s involvement in the racket.
The ATS said they needed the custody of the trio to “bust the entire channel through which drugs is brought into the country” and argued that they need to confront all the accused.
On January 25, Saji was arrested with a consignment of 12.8 kg of heroine from Classique Club in Oshiwara. After his interrogation, the ATS raided a flat in Nalanda Apartments at Naigaon and recovered another narcotics consignment of 25 kg. The flat belongs to Oberoi’s stepson.
Advocate K. Balakrishnan, appearing for Saji, argued that the ATS had already got the required information from Saji and custody of the accused was not required. The court extended Saji’s ATS custody till February 7 and sent Oberoi and Khatariya to judicial custody till the same date.
{{/usCountry}}Advocate K. Balakrishnan, appearing for Saji, argued that the ATS had already got the required information from Saji and custody of the accused was not required. The court extended Saji’s ATS custody till February 7 and sent Oberoi and Khatariya to judicial custody till the same date.
{{/usCountry}}Saji was composed during the hearing. His father Yohanan Varghese burst into tears when he saw his son enter the court. The court allowed Vargese and Saji’s brother-in-law Sanjoy Mathew to talk to Saji. “Don’t worry, I would be out Sanjoy,” said Saji.