Minister Bagri’s brother-in-law also linked to drug smuggling case:Sold illegal liquor from restaurant; jailed twice, later turned to cannabis trade

You people talk nonsense. Anyone claims to be a relative on their own. My request is that you first confirm it. Talk only after knowing the facts. Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing, Pratima Bagri, has publicly distanced herself from her brother, Anil Bagri. Anil was arrested in a cannabis smuggling case, which also named her brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh, as an accused. The matter caused embarrassment for the minister after media questions and social media attention in Khajuraho. Arrest of brother and brother-in-law Satna police reported that Anil Bagri, son of Jai Pratap Bagri from Bharhut Nagar, Hardua, and Pankaj Singh from Matha, were caught smuggling ganja. A third accused, Shailendra Singh from Virat Nagar, is absconding. Shailendra is Anil Bagri’s brother-in-law. On the night of 7-8 December, Rampur Baghelan police raided Pankaj Singh’s house in Marauha village. Four sacks of ganja were hidden under rice sacks in a tin shed. Police recovered 48 packets worth Rs 9.22 lakh. Pankaj told the police that the ganja belonged to Anil Bagri and Shailendra Singh. Both were sent to judicial custody until 19 December. Earlier, on 3 December, Banda police in Uttar Pradesh had arrested Shailendra Singh for the same charge. How Shailendra became minister’s brother-in-law Close associates revealed the story to Dainik Bhaskar. Shailendra Singh, also known as Shailendra Rajawat, is from a middle-class family in Satna. He started a restaurant called Key-and-Ka and sold illegal liquor. He later expanded into liquor smuggling. Pratima Bagri’s younger sister, Priyanka, began working at the restaurant as a manager. Over time, she and Shailendra grew close and started a live-in relationship. They later registered their marriage. After marriage, Shailendra continued smuggling liquor and was jailed for it. After his release, he switched to smuggling banned cough syrup Corex to earn money quickly. In 2024, Singhpur police caught him delivering Corex, which had a turnover of Rs 5.5 crore in a month. He also began smuggling ganja. Minister Pratima Bagri’s political background Pratima Bagri became MLA from Raigaon in 2023. She defeated Congress candidate Kalpana Verma by 36,060 votes. After becoming MLA, she was appointed Minister of State in her first cabinet. Soon after taking office, she faced embarrassment from hoardings put up by supporters in Satna. Many featured her brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh, and his pictures circulated on social media, causing further scrutiny. Minister’s statement and family connections Pratima Bagri said, “You people talk nonsense. Anyone can claim to be a relative. First, confirm it. Talk only after knowing the facts.” She publicly denied any connection with her sister Priyanka and her smuggler husband. Despite her denial, photos and videos show her close ties with Anil Bagri and Shailendra Singh. The minister, her brother, and brother-in-law have appeared together at family events, revealing cordial relations. Police investigation The Rampur Baghelan police registered crime number 1079/25 under sections 8, 20, 29 of the BNS NDPS Act against Anil Bagri and Pankaj Singh. Investigations are ongoing. Authorities may seek the transit remand of Shailendra Singh from Banda Jail, Uttar Pradesh, to trace the ganja smuggling network. Political reactions PCC Chief Jitu Patwari has demanded Pratima Bagri’s resignation. He criticised the rise of drug mafias in Madhya Pradesh, claiming the state has surpassed Punjab in drug abuse. Patwari also alleged that the government benefits from a liquor revenue of Rs 17,000 crore, while mafias influence ministers’ offices.