Serina Bhanu, 2 others acquitted in drug case

Madurai, Jun 5 (UNI) A Special Court today acquitted Serina Bhanu, her mother and car driver, who were implicated in a narcotics case in 2003.

Holding that the charges against the accused have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, Special Judge M Manickam set them free.

The Karupayoorani Police seized 35 kg ganja, Rs 1.40 crore cash,21 sovereigns of gold and a car from the Anna Nagar residence of Serina on July seven, 2003.

Serina, her mother Renija and car driver Satish were arrested and a case registered against them. The charge sheet was filed on October ten, 2003 and 16 witnesses examined during the trial.

Dismissing the plea of the Income Tax Department that it was unaccounted money, the court accepted the claim of one Jagadish Raj, a relative of Serina, over the cash seized by the police.

The amount now deposited with the Indian Overseas Bank on a court directive could be obtained by Serina from whom the claimant could recive the money.

The Judge said the other seized articles could be obtained by Serina on her filing an appeal, it held.

UNI CR MA HT1905