Meow meow case: ‘Drug’ found in cop’s home is ajinomoto, says CFSL

The Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Hyderabad has confirmed that the substance seized from dismissed police constable Dharmaraj Kalokhe’s home in Satara was not banned drug ‘mephedrone’ but cooking ingredient Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or ajinomoto, as was claimed.

On March 9 last year, the police in Satara, claiming to be acting on a tip-off, had conducted a raid and seized 112 kg of the ‘drug’ from Kalokhe’s house. Soon after, Kalokhe was placed under arrest. Later, another 12 kg of the ‘drug’ was found in Kalokhe’s cupboard at the Marine Drive police station. Kalokhe’s arrest was followed by the nabbing of city’s alleged woman druglord Shashikala alias Baby Patankar on April 22 last year. But the CFSL report has contradicted the police’s claim.

[related-post]

When contacted, SP Abhinav Deshmukh said, “It is for the investigating officer to decide how to proceed with the case now. But we will comply with the directions of the court.”

In the aftermath of a second negative report, discharge applications for the mother-son Patankar duo will be heard by the court on April 28. “The police’s chargesheet is of no use now,” said their lawyer, N N Gavankar. Kalokhe will also be filing a smilax discharge application in the days to come.