Kolkata: As per police sources, the father of BJP Youth Wing leader Pamela Goswami revealed to Kolkata police that she had become a drug addict under the influence of a friend who he wished to keep “under watch”. ALSO READ | Fuel Price Hike: FM Sitharaman Says Centre, States Must Work Together To Resolve ‘Vexatious’ Issue
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) state secretary Pamela Goswami was recently arrested for possession of cocaine. According to sources close to city police, she and her friend Prabeer Kumar Dey, who was arrested with her on Friday, had been living together for some time.
Pamela Goswami created a scene at a city court where she was produced as she screamed that Rakesh Singh, a close aide of BJP’s West Bengal election chief Kailash Vijayvargiya, “plotted” her arrest.
Meanwhile, as per a report by news agency PTI, Kolkata police revealed that they had been keeping a vigilant eye on both Goswami and her friend Prabeer after her father filed a complaint in April last year.
In his letter to the city police chief, Kaushik Goswami had claimed that Prabeer had turned Pamela into a drug addict. He also alleged that Prabeer did not keep his promise to divorce his wife and get married to Pamela. The father then requested the police to “keep a watch” on his activities.
“We were keeping an eye on both of them and gathered information about their involvement in drug trafficking. We are questioning them and trying to find out who all are involved with them and whether they have links to inter-state or international drug rackets,” a police officer said speaking on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, sources in the state BJP stated that Goswami was likely to be suspended from the party.
“Most likely the party will take some disciplinary action against her till she is proved innocent. This incident is damaging the party’s reputation,” a senior state BJP leader reportedly said.
Goswami was arrested on Friday after 90 gm of cocaine was allegedly found in her handbag and concealed in the car she was travelling. The model-actress turned politician will remain in police custody till February 25.
ALSO READ | Who Is Pamela Goswami? BJP Yuva Morcha’s WB Secretary Arrested For Possession Of Cocaine
Allegations & Responses
“I want a CID investigation. Rakesh Singh is close to Kailash Vijayvargiya. Arrest him. This is his conspiracy. I have all evidence,” Goswami shouted, speaking to the mediapersons before entering the courtroom.
Meanwhile, Rakesh Singh claims that Goswami had been “brainwashed” by the Kolkata police and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. He added that he was not in touch with her for over a year and is ready to face investigation by any agency.
“If I am involved, they can call me or Kailash Vijayvargiya or Amit Shah. I think the police have brainwashed her. I am not in touch with Pamela for more than one-and-a half-years now,” Singh told PTI.
“It’s possible that the Kolkata police is following the Trinamool Congress’s instructions. They are conspiring against me. These are baseless accusations and I am ready to face any challenge,” he added.
The TMC was quick to grab the opportunity to berate the BJP, its challenger in the assembly election sweepstake.
“Earlier, one of their leaders was arrested for involvement in child trafficking. Now another has been arrested in a drugs case. This proves what the BJP and its leaders are up to,” TMC secretary-general and state minister Partha Chatterjee said.
“Only criminals, drug addicts and peddlers are associated with a corrupt party like the BJP,” Firhad Hakim, a minister in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, said.
Meanwhile, Kailash Vijayvargiya expressed faith in the judicial system and talked about law taking its own course.
“I do not know about this incident and hence will not like to comment. I have full trust in our legal system. If someone is found guilty, the law will take its own course,” he said.
(With Agency Inputs)
