Sandalwood Drug Case: Karnataka High Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Kannada Actress Ragini Dwivedi, Co-Accused

The Karnataka High Court recently quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against Kannada actor Ragini Dwivedi, who had been arrested by the police for allegedly consuming and supplying drugs at parties and events organized by her and others.Justice Hemant Chandangoudar allowed the petition filed by Ragini (accused no. 2) and co-accused Prashant Ranka (accused no. 4). The petitioners were charged for offences punishable under Sections 21, 21(C), 22(C), 27A, 27-B, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, read with Sections 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) and 201(Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) of IPC.The bench on going through the records noted the petitioners have been implicated solely based on the confession/voluntary statement of Accused No.16–a co-accused and charge sheet witness.It then held “However, to substantiate the charges against the petitioners, the prosecution has not produced any material evidence to prove that the petitioners organized parties or sold drugs, apart from the voluntary statements of the co-accused and charge sheet witnesses. Therefore, the continuation of the criminal proceedings against the petitioners will be an abuse of the legal process of law.”The complaint asserted that Respondent No.2 (ACP, Anti-Narcotics Wing, Central Crime Branch) was in possession of information regarding the consumption of narcotics at parties organized at various hotels and other locations frequented by celebrities, DJs (disc jockeys), software engineers, and others. The respondent-police registered an FIR in 2020 against the petitioners. The final police report/charge sheet was filed on June 8, 2021 and the petitioners were arrayed as Accused Nos. 2 and 4.It was alleged that Accused No.1 are realtors by profession and a friend of Accused No.2-Ragini, a film actress, who allegedly introduced him to businessmen and youngsters at parties where narcotic drugs were supplied.Further, accused No.1, along with accused Nos. 2 (Ragini) and 16, consumed contraband substances, such as ecstasy pills, at parties organized by them. The specific charge against the petitioners herein was that they organized parties and facilitated the distribution of drugs to attendees at such events, which were organized on July 5, 2020, July 8, 2020 and July 17, 2020. The court went on to quash the proceedings against the petitioners."However, this order will not come in the way of prosecuting the petitioners in accordance with law, in light of the observations made in WP.No.1983/2023," the court added.Case Title: RAGINI DWIVEDI @ GINI @ RAGS AND State of Karnataka And Connected MatterCase No: WRIT PETITION NO. 26835 OF 2024 (GM-RES) C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 9497 OF 2024Appearance: Advocates Mahamad Tahir A, Bharath Kumar V for PetitionersSPP Veeranna G Tigadi for Respondent. Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 13Click Here To Read/Download Order

Sandalwood Drug Case: Karnataka High Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Kannada Actress Ragini Dwivedi, Co-Accused

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