Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS/SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 7: Sandalwood actress Ragini, who is under the custody of CCB in the drug deal case, has to be with city crime branch (CCB) for five more days as the appeal made by CCB to extend her custody by 10 days was accepted by the court and her custody was extended by five more days.

This order was given by the Bengaluru court which conducted an inquiry on the bail application. The CCB custody of Ragini got over on Monday, September 7. However, the actress did not cooperate with the CCB sleuths in investigation in the past three days. So CCB sought extension of her custody with the court.

This order was passed by Justice Jagadish of first ACMM court.

'Drugs consumed previously, discontinued long back' - Ragini

Ragini, who has been arrested in connection with drugs scandal, reportedly told the Central Crime Branch (CCB) investigators that she is not addicted to drugs. She admitted having consumed drugs in the past and also that she is used to take part in parties as part of social contacts and activity. "During the last two years, I have never used any drugs. If I was addicted to drugs, I could never have been able to manage my health and acting profession. In my apartment, I had consumed MDMA tablets a couple of times, but I have no knowledge of ganja and I have never touched it. Still, the police have to find out and tell me how ganja was found in my apartment during the raid as it does not belong to me," she reportedly said.

The actress was questioned for two days till Sunday evening. The police could not interrogate her more than five to six hours daily as she claimed she was suffering from ill health and backache. Ragini's police custody is set to end on Monday September 7 and the police may not seek its extension, sources said.

In the meanwhile, Film Chamber of Commerce president, Jairaj, termed as false the information emanating from certain quarters that the chamber had advised producers not to cast Ragini in their films because she has been arrested in drugs abuse case. Jairaj said that casting Ragini will be at the discretion of the producers and the chamber has no role to play.

Ravishankar paid four times his salary to personal staff

B K Ravishankar, working as second division assistant in the regional transport office at Jayanagar here, who is perceived to be close to actress Ragini Dwivedi, got a monthly salary of about Rs 35,000. But he had employed three people on his own to do his work, and paid them a monthly salary of about Rs 1,50,000, it is learnt. Ravishankar used to attend office only for about an hour or so every day and he attended the office to record his attendance, it is said.

It is surprising that the higher officers in the department kept silent over this matter even though they knew that someone else was working on behalf of Ravishankar. Therefore, there is suspicion that others in the department may have been benefiting from this arrangement, Ravishankar had got his employment on compassionate basis as his father, who was an assistant regional transport officer had died during his service. He had a flat at Vijayanagar here. Ravishankar's job provided him with a chance to establish contact with many bigwigs as rich and influential people demand for fancy or lucky numbers for vehicles. Registration of commercial vehicles too is a department that brings additional income, it is said.

Ravishankar has ensured that he continues to work in Koramangala and Jayanagara transport offices which are considered as high income offices. After he was caught in a case in the past, he was about to be suspended, but somehow he avoided suspension and instead was transferred to Ballari. Election was held at that time, and within three months, Ravishankar, who was deputed on election duty, could return to Jayanagar, it is stated. The people in the department say that he used to keep aloof and rarely invited a few close ones to parties sometimes.