Provogue owner questioned in drug case

Provogue director Salil Chaturvedi was questioned by the Mumbai police in connection with the arrest of two of his employees on drug related charges.

The police identified a foreign national who supplies cocaine to people in the film industry and business personalities in Mumbai.

On January 26, 2005, at the domestic airport at Santacruz, officials detected a parcel of cocaine, which was to be sent to Vishal Meghnani in Chennai. Meghnani holds an important position in Provogue company.

Meghnani was in Chennai on official work, and he asked a company employee in Mumbai, Allwyn Sequeira, to send the drug to Chennai.

The parcel was detected at the airport and the police was informed about it, but Allwyn succeeded in fleeing. The police took a long time to nab Allwyn.

Assistant Police Commissioner Chandrakant Pawaskar said, "Provogue employee Vishal Meghnani was in Chennai and wanted cocaine for his friend there. Thus, he asked Allwyn to send it to him by air mail."

The police arrested Allwyn some time back, and on June 23, 2005, they arrested Vishal Meghnani too.

Vishal gave many important clues to the police; information regarding which film personalities were habitual addicts, and who was their supplier.

After Vishal's interrogation, the police called in Salil Chaturvedi for questioning.

Meghnani told the police that he was not a drug addict, and he had asked for the cocaine for his friend in Chennai.

In May 2001, the Narcotics Control Bureau had arrested film actor Fardeen Khan with 9 gm of cocaine at Vile Parle.

• Fardeen Khan picked up by NCB

Deputy Commissioner of Police Shashikant Shinde said, "Investigation is on, and it's premature to comment whether Fardeen Khan had any connection with the case or not. But we will call everyone who is connected with the case for questioning and, if need be, take action against them."

Police sources said, "Many bigwigs and Bollwood personalities' names came up in the investigation. We are interested in calling them in for questioning."

Pawaskar said, "We have succeeded in locating a foreign national who is supplying cocaine to celebrities and businessmen. We will catch him soon."