Mastermind of drug racket in Central Jail, PSI arrested
   Date :15-Sep-2022

Mastermind of drug racket
 
 
Staff Reporter :
 
Jailed and suspended over rape charges, Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Pradip Nitnawne was arrested by Crime Branch on production warrant for operating a drug racket sitting right in the Central Jail Nagpur. PSI Nitnawne, who was attached to Gadchiroli range, was produced in the court by the Crime Branch. The cops obtained his police custody till September 16. Role of PSI Nitnawne came to fore when an MCOCA accused was arrested by a prison constable for smuggling ganja (Marijuana) and mobile phone batteries in the jail on September 6. Along with PSI Nitnawne, the MCOCA accused Suraj Kawle (22), his brother Shubham Kawle, his friend Suraj Waghmare, drug smuggler Moreshwar Sonwane, Mukesh Babu Punjabrao Naydu, Bhagirath Thardayal and Arthav Khatakhti, a member of the notorious Sheikhu gang were booked in a fresh offence registered at Dhantoli Police Station.
 
The Crime Branch is investigating the case. A police official said that a mobile phone was in possession of Suraj Kawle in the jail. PSI Nitnawne and Kawle were in the same barrack of the jail. The suspended police officer was using the phone in the jail secretly and speaking to his relatives and friends. Rupees 45,000 were delivered to Kawle’s friend in Nagpur after PSI Nitnawne’s phone to his friend from the jail. The cash was used to purchase ganja and mobile phone batteries that were seized by the jail constable. The cops are interrogating Nitnawne to identify the culprits who were helping him in running the racket in jail. PSI Nitnawne was suspended in July when he was booked under rape charges by Sitabuldi police.