Kalaburagi: In a development that has sparked political ripples, a close aide of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has been arrested in a serious drug trafficking case. The accused, Lingraj Kanni, who also holds the post of Congress Block President for Kalaburagi South, was apprehended in Khani, Maharashtra under provisions of the NDPS Act.
According to sources, Lingraj was found in possession of 20 bottles of banned Codeine-based cough syrup, a Schedule-H narcotic substance. The arrest has raised eyebrows given Lingraj’s proximity to senior political leaders, including Minister Kharge and MLA Alamprabhu Patil.
Ironically, in April last year, Kharge had publicly vowed a crackdown on drug abuse and smuggling in the Kalaburagi region, stating that his district would not be allowed to fall prey to narcotics. The arrest of someone from his inner circle has now drawn intense scrutiny.
Photos showing Lingraj with Kharge in multiple public events are now circulating widely, fuelling speculation about his political access. While leaders often pose for pictures with supporters, the nature and frequency of Lingraj’s presence alongside Kharge suggest a deeper association, according to political observers.
This is not the first time one of Kharge’s associates has faced legal trouble. In a previous case related to a contractor’s suicide, another aide, Raju Kappanoor, was also arrested.
The latest arrest underlines growing concerns over the accountability of political entourages and the kind of individuals wielding influence in ministerial circles.
