Nagpur: A recent police raid in the Pachpaoli area of Nagpur uncovered an illegal drug manufacturing lab in a house in Balabhau Pethi. The lab was producing MD (Mephedrone) drugs, leading to a significant political uproar. The incident occurred in Nagpur, the hometown of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis, prompting the Congress to launch a fierce attack on him.
In a post shared on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the Congress targeted Fadnavis with sharp criticism. The post was titled “Nagpur Turns ‘Drugpur,'” sarcastically referencing Fadnavis’s famous slogan, “I will return! I will return! And turn Nagpur into Drugpur!” The Congress accused Fadnavis of neglecting his duties as Home Minister, suggesting that he might be too absorbed in political maneuvering to focus on his responsibilities.
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The Congress further alleged that the BJP’s “dirty politics” was aimed at ruining Maharashtra’s youth by allowing the state to be engulfed by drugs. The party called for Fadnavis to resign from his position as Home Minister and even suggested he change his name to “Fasnavis,” mocking his leadership.
The Drug Lab Case: Details and Arrests
The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Nimit Goyal, Pachpaoli Police Station Officer Baburao Raut, and officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs Department, uncovered the drug lab in Balabhau Pethi. The raid resulted in the seizure of chemicals and equipment worth ₹78 crore.
The lab was being operated by four young men—Akash Harode, Sahil Sheikh, Sumit Ghormade, and Divyanshu Chakrapani—who have since been placed in DRI custody until August 14. The bust has caused a stir in Nagpur, as the youths involved were still students.
Authorities are investigating how the suspects obtained the chemicals and equipment for drug production, who financed the operation, and where the drugs were being distributed. It has been revealed that the lab was only set up a few days before the raid. Notably, Akash Harode was reportedly in a relationship with a young woman who wanted to get rich quickly. She suggested the idea of drug production and even rented out her home for the lab, leading to the shocking discovery that has rocked the city.
