Maha Congress chief Nana Patole raises questions on 'protectors' of drug case accused Lalit Patil

Nana Patole/ PTI

Nana Patole, the president of the Maharashtra Congress, expressed concerns regarding the accused in the drug case, Lalit Patil, and questioned who might be the individuals offering him protection. Lalit Patil, a key figure in a mephedrone seizure case involving ₹300 crore, was apprehended in Bengaluru on Tuesday night, more than two weeks after his escape from the government-run Sassoon hospital in Pune, stated a PTI report.

Patole conveyed his thoughts to reporters and raised suspicions about the role of the "BJP government" in the state, suggesting that it was causing harm to Maharashtra's reputation.

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Highlighting the recent significant drug seizures within the state, Patole insinuated that running such an extensive drug operation would not be possible without political support. He posited that Lalit Patil may have been merely a pawn in a more intricate network and inquired about the mastermind behind this drug business.

"A large stock of drugs has been seized in the state in the last few days. Such a large-scale drug business cannot run without political blessings. Lalit Patil is a just a pawn, who is the mastermind?" he was quoted as asking in the PTI report.

While commending the Mumbai police for capturing Lalit Patil, Patole insinuated that during his hospitalization, Patil had been enjoying certain privileges. Patole pointed out that suspicions had been previously raised regarding efforts to shield Patil from the law. Lalit Patil himself, it seems, has acknowledged that he received some form of protection.

"We had said earlier that efforts were being made to protect him. Now Lalit Patil himself has admitted that he was being protected.... Who is supporting the world of drugs and people like Lalit Patil?" the Congress leader asked.

Nana Patole, a prominent Congress leader, went on to question the forces enabling the drug trade and individuals like Lalit Patil. He expressed concerns over the rise in unemployment and the failure to fill government job vacancies, pointing out that youth in the state are increasingly being drawn into the world of drugs.

While unemployment is rising and vacancies in the government are not being filled up, the youth in the state are being lured into the world of drugs, Patole said.

With PTI inputs