9 more paramedics arrested in Mangaluru drug racket case

In an ongoing investigation into drug extortion of health workers, Mangaluru police arrested nine more health workers, including two doctors, on Friday, January 20. This takes the total number of people arrested to 29, which includes 22 people from the medical fraternity.

On January 21, Police Commissioner N. Shashi Kumar named the nine arrested doctors: Vidush Kumar, 27, from Uttar Pradesh, an MS student; Suryajithdev, 20, from Kerala, a third-year MBBS student; Aysha Mohammed, 23, from Kerala; Pranay Nataraj, 24, from Telangana; Chaithanya R. Tumuluri. 23, Telangana; Ish Midda, 27, from Uttar Pradesh, all MBBS students from Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru; and Sharanya, 23, from Delhi, who is a BDS student on placement at KMC, Mangaluru. The two doctors are Siddartha Pavaskar, 29, working at Srinivas Hospital; and Sudheendra, 34, of Durga Sanjeevini Hospital in Mangaluru.

Mr. Kumar said the police were investigating the source of the drugs (hemp, marijuana, ganja) and the way they were distributed. Police are investigating the contacts of the main accused Neel Kishorilal Ramji Shah, a British citizen of Indian origin and a dental student at a city college, and are arresting those who procured and consumed the cannabis.

“Some have switched off their mobile phones. Efforts are on to trace them,” he said.

Drug abuse has increased after offline courses were launched in Dakshina Kannada, which is home to eight medical colleges and other professional courses.

“We are conducting a thorough investigation into this sensitive case,” he said.

Most of those arrested, including those arrested on January 20, tested positive for cannabis. Through the network, peddlers reached doctors, paramedics, engineers and other students. “At the time of the filing of charges, the role of each of the arrested persons will be revealed,” he said.

All nine people arrested on January 20 ended up in judicial custody.

Mr. Kumar said institutions should show zero tolerance to drug abuse and the city police would extend all cooperation to eradicate the menace.

KMC Mangaluru has terminated the services of two doctors and suspended five students who were interns after they were arrested on charges of drug smuggling and drug consumption.

Published – 21 Jan 2023 16:51 IST