Minister Pratima on brother’s arrest in smuggling case:Says, ‘Anil lives separately’; refuses to recognize husband of sister who left home as her brother-in-law

Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing and Raigaon MLA Pratima Bagri, under political fire after her brother Anil’s arrest in a ganja smuggling case, speaking exclusively with Dainik Bhaskar, she responded that while Anil is her brother, he has been living separately from the family for more than five years.
She also firmly distanced herself from the man described as her brother-in-law, stating that she does not recognize him as a relative and has no association with him in any capacity. Q: Your brother Anil has been accused of ganja smuggling. What do you have to say? Pratima Bagri: The police administration is doing its job and the investigation will be conducted impartially. I have not interfered in any way. Whatever action is appropriate, the police will take. If any relative—brother, sister, brother-in-law or any acquaintance—is involved in wrongdoing, strict action should be taken. Wrong is wrong, and no one can commit a crime under anyone’s protection. Q: There are claims that your brother-in-law was also involved in ganja smuggling. Pratima Bagri: The person being referred to as my brother-in-law has no relation with me. I do not consider him my brother-in-law. I am the eldest among my siblings, and people don’t even know who is older or younger. Q: Can you explain why you deny having any relationship with him? Pratima Bagri: I was married in 2008 and moved to my in-laws’ home. In 2010, it came to light that my sister had left home. My father was very strict and never tried to find out where she went or whom she married. Since my sister left home without informing the family, I do not recognize her husband as my brother-in-law. I had no role or involvement in that relationship. Q: A video from Khajuraho went viral in which you said, ‘Why are you talking nonsense?’ Pratima Bagri: That video was taken completely out of context. We had a full-day review meeting in Khajuraho, and my phone was on silent. When I stepped out, my PSO informed me that something had happened. I was in shock and didn’t even have complete information. How could I brief the media in that situation? My reaction was due to shock, not anger, but it was wrongly portrayed and I was trolled. Q: Media reports say your brother still lives in the same house. Is that true? Pratima Bagri: Yes, we live under the same roof, but the house is partitioned. His portion is separate, with a different kitchen and entrance. He has been living separately from the family for more than five years. Q: Do your parents remain in touch with him? Pratima Bagri: There is no regular interaction with my parents. There is no coming and going between them. Q: Photos of you tying Rakhi to your brother are circulating on social media. Pratima Bagri: Many mistakes were made with those photos. Some were from my brother’s wedding, and in some cases, a cousin’s photo was wrongly published as my brother’s. This has caused unnecessary defamation of others as well. Q: Opposition leaders say you are trying to distance yourself after the arrest. Pratima Bagri: This entire matter has been presented in a distorted manner. Sometimes the media is misused. Just because someone belongs to the same community or shares a surname does not mean they are related to me. Q: Do you believe you are being deliberately targeted? Pratima Bagri: In two years as a minister, not a single allegation has been made against me. If you investigate deeply, you will find a larger conspiracy behind this. I am confident the truth will come out. I am innocent and have been deliberately framed.