Drugs raid at Radisson Blu: Tollywood Actress Niharika Konidela, singer Rahul Sipligunj among 150 detained

Hyderabad: Actor Chiranjeevi's niece Niharika Konidela and Telugu rapper and Big Boss winner Rahul Sipligunj were amongst 150 people detained on Sunday by the Hyderabad police during a raid at Radisson Blu Hotel.

The Banjara Hills police along with the task force raided a pub in Radisson Blu Hotel in Hyderabad at 2 a.m on Sunday. It was reported that the pub was operating after the stipulated operating hours which led to the raid.

Sunday's raid followed a month-long recce by the Hyderabad task force team. The cops reportedly found and seized banned substances (cocaine) on the pub premises.

'License to elite clubs authorizes them to operate 24 hours. However, if drugs are found in possession of the club, this will attract cancellation of license. The Excise department will issue notices on Monday, a senior officer told NewsMeter.

An officer of the Banjara Hills police station confirmed to NewsMeter that drugs were seized during the raid. While most of those who were held were detained at the Banjara Hills station throughout the night, they were released in the morning at around 7 a.m. However, a few people, including Niharika Konidela, were reportedly detained until noon.

Niharika Konidela was spotted leaving the Banjara Hills police station at noon. The police are yet to disclose the full details of all those who were detained. A Tollywood singer and several other people have reportedly been detained.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Hyderabad, C.V Anand, issued orders placing under suspension the station house officer of Banjara Hills, Shiva Chandra, and issued a charge memo to the assistant commissioner of police, Banjara Hills, M. Sudarshan, for negligence towards their legitimate duties in the control of narcotics in pubs and bars.

BJP Telangana Chief Spokesperson K.Krishna Sagar Rao congratulated the Hyderabad task force for the raid

"Utter negligence by the state government in enforcing Anti-narcotic laws in the state, has directly paved way to turning the city into a narcotics super market," he said.

"Media reports are highlighting selective arrests. It's evident that many high profile drug abusers with film and political backgrounds are being sent out of the police station indiscriminately. BJP urges Telangana police to not succumb to political pressure and take strict legal action both on drug suppliers and users arrested in this raid,' he said.

BJP demanded Hyderabad Police Commissioner to release the list of all those arrested in this raid and ensure no exemptions are given for the arrested. Pressure from politicians or film stars should not fizzle out this case.