Former DCP controls drug racket;alleges NCP MLA

Mumbai, Mar 16 (UNI) The Pune Rave party episode today took a curious turn today when NCP member and former Labour Minister Nawab Malik alleged that former IPS officer Rahul Sur was involved in the drug racket, and wanted the Government to explain the steps it was taking to bring him to book.

The allegation was made by Malik during the discussion on a calling attention notice on the rave party, busted earlier this month.

However, Minister of State for Home Siddhram Mhetre, who was replying to the debate, said Sur was abroad since the last 15 years and he would seek information in this regard.

He informed the Lower House that the police probing the Rave party incident in Pune, were not under pressure and they were investigating whether the organisers had any international links.

He said out of the total 14 arrested, three were foreign nationals and the rest were from India. Seven were involved in selling drugs at the party and four others charged of assaulting journalists and are currently out on bail. The government would move the higher court to get their bail cancelled. Blood samples of the youth, who were present at the party have been sent for tests, he informed.

Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar directed the Government to ensure that the probe is completed before the end of the budget session and the entire details are tabled on the floor of the house.

Mr Mhetre said drugs were mainly being brought from Nigeria. The foreign nationals included two Germans and one Nigerian. He informed that Dhruv Kaushal was the main organiser and he has been arrested.

When some members wanted to know what a Rave party was Mr Mhetre explained, ''organisers send invitations through internet and SMS, the participants gather at a secluded place and there is music and dance. Such parties begin at 0200 hrs and go on till 1200 hrs.'' BJP member Devendra Phadanvis wanted to know whether the police have the expertise to monitor the gateway to internet sites like Orkut where private blogs are created and invitation to such parties are sent out. Mhetre said the cybercrime cell has purchased a software to ensure security of internet messages and monitor them. A group of 25 police officials from this deparpment are undergoing training.

Cutting across party lines, members expressed concern over the growing 'Rave party' culture in and around Pune, which is referred to as the educational and cultural capital of the state.

UNI