Nagpur, November 4 (Language) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said that state police personnel having links with drugs will not only be suspended but will also be dismissed from service.
Speaking to reporters here, Fadnavis said anyone involved in drug manufacturing and trafficking would be booked under stringent laws.
Fadnavis said, “Those involved will face strict action, but police officers found involved (in drug trade) will not only be suspended but will also be dismissed under (Article) 311 of the Constitution.” “
Article 311 of the Constitution deals with dismissal, removal or reduction in post of persons serving in civil capacities under the Center or a State.
He said that the state police has launched a campaign to make Maharashtra drug free and raids are being conducted in every district.
He said, work is being done at the national level and inter-state movements of gangs involved in drug trade are being monitored.
The Deputy Chief Minister said, the state police has seized drugs worth hundreds of crores of rupees.
The Fadnavis-led Home Department had faced criticism, especially from the Shiv Sena (UBT), over the escape of alleged drug dealer Lalit Patil from a government hospital in Pune on October 2. Patil was arrested from Bengaluru a few days ago.
Nine policemen were suspended after Patil absconded. A police official had said that Patil, who was in jail for almost a year, was found using a mobile phone during his stay in the hospital. Even during treatment, he was allegedly smuggling drugs and just three days ago his name had come up in a new case.
Fadnavis said that the move backfired on those who were making allegations. Last month, Fadnavis had claimed that Patil was the Nashik district chief of the undivided Shiv Sena when Uddhav Thackeray was the party chief.
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