MP Police nab minister Pratima Bagri’s brother for cannabis smuggling:Seize contraband, send accused to judicial custody; minister reacts angrily to media question

Satna police arrested Anil Bagri, brother of Madhya Pradesh Minister of State Pratima Bagri, for allegedly trafficking cannabis on Monday.
The Rampur Baghelan police seized 46 kilograms of ganja from Anil and his associate, Pankaj Singh. Both were presented before the special NDPS court and sent to judicial custody until December 19. Raid conducted after tip-off Additional SP Prem Lal Dhurve said the raid was conducted on the intervening night of December 7–8 in Marauha village. Acting on a tip-off, police searched Pankaj Singh’s house and found four sacks of ganja hidden under paddy bags, containing a total of 48 packets valued at Rs 9.22 lakh. During interrogation, Pankaj revealed that the seized cannabis belonged to Anil Bagri and his brother-in-law Shailendra Singh. Following this, police arrested Anil on Monday. Earlier, on December 3, Shailendra was arrested by Uttar Pradesh’s Banda police in a similar case. Minister reacts to media question When media questioned Minister Pratima Bagri about her brother’s arrest outside the Maharaja Convention Centre in Khajuraho, she appeared irritated, responding: “Why are you asking such unnecessary questions?” Her father, Jai Pratap Bagri, refused to comment citing recent eye surgery. Two arrested, one still absconding According to Satna police, the arrested accused are: A third accused, Shailendra Singh, resident of Virat Nagar and brother-in-law of Anil, is currently absconding in this case but is lodged in Banda jail in another NDPS matter. He was previously arrested for the illicit trafficking of narcotic cough syrup, with financial transactions worth around ₹5.5 crore traced back to him. Family and crime background Anil is the eldest son of former district Panchayat member Jai Pratap Bagri. Minister Pratima Bagri is his younger sister. Their youngest sister Priyanka is married to Shailendra Singh through a love marriage, and Anil allegedly partnered with Shailendra in the illegal drug trade. A case has been registered under BNS Sections 8, 20, and 29 along with relevant sections of the NDPS Act at Rampur Baghelan police station.