Minister Pratima Bagri’s Brother Held in Satna Drug Bust
46 kg marijuana seizure triggers political uproar; Congress attacks BJP over rising crime
- MP Police arrest Anil Bagri, brother of Minister of State Pratima Bagri, with 46 kg of marijuana
- Contraband found hidden in paddy sacks; key accused Shailendra Singh Rajawat absconding
- Minister’s reaction to media query goes viral, sparks Opposition criticism
- NDPS case registered; accused sent to 12-day judicial custody
GG News Bureau
Satna, 9th Dec: In a major blow to the Madhya Pradesh government, the police in Satna have arrested Anil Bagri, brother of Minister of State Pratima Bagri, for his alleged involvement in a marijuana smuggling racket. Another accused, Pankaj Singh, has also been arrested as part of the crackdown.
Police recovered 46 kg of marijuana, worth an estimated ₹9.22 lakh, from the duo. The consignment was hidden in large sacks of paddy at Pankaj’s residence in Marounha village. Investigators said the vehicle used for smuggling belongs to Shailendra Singh Rajawat, who is currently on the run.
The arrests come just days after Minister Pratima Bagri’s brother-in-law, Shailendra Singh, was held in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, with 10.5 kg of marijuana. Shailendra is already lodged in Banda jail in another NDPS case and had earlier been arrested in Satna for allegedly trafficking narcotic cough syrup in a racket worth around ₹5.5 crore.
With both close relatives of the minister now implicated in separate narcotics cases, the episode has triggered a political storm. Questions over political influence, oversight and transparency in law enforcement have resurfaced.
When reporters questioned Minister Pratima Bagri during a review meeting in Khajuraho about her family’s alleged involvement, she appeared visibly irritated. Her response — “Zabardasti ki baat kyun karte ho tumlog?” — has since gone viral.
The Congress sharply criticised the government, sharing the video with the caption:
“Look at the anger of the Minister Sahiba when asked about her brother arrested in a smuggling case! Relatives of ministers in the BJP government are now openly being caught smuggling.”
The party demanded accountability from the Chief Minister and the state Home Minister over what it described as a deepening “quagmire of crime”.
According to Satna Police, the raid was conducted early Monday after a tip-off. Officers found four large sacks containing 48 packets of marijuana concealed under layers of paddy. During interrogation, Pankaj Singh claimed the contraband had been handed over by Anil Bagri and Shailendra Singh Rajawat.
A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, and both arrested men have been remanded to 12 days’ judicial custody at the Central Jail, officials said.
