Says Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi after a special court acquitted him in a drug consumption case
Says Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi after a special court acquitted him in a drug consumption case
After a legal battle that lasted more than three years, Salil Chaturvedi, owner of Provogue, was acquitted by Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court judge A T Amlekar yesterday.
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Mixed emotions: Although happy to be acquitted in a drug consumption case, Provogue owner Salil Chaturvedi feels it will be difficult to wipe out the blot on his family. PIC/BIPIN KOKATEu00a0 |
Chaturvedi was arrested on August 2, 2005 and was in custody for 26 days after police allegedly recovered three grams of cocaine from his residence.
Chaturvedi told MiD DAY he is both relieved and agitated. He said, "I am glad that my sufferings are over and my faith in the judicial system has been restored. But I am sad because it will be difficult to wipe out the blot on my family." He added, "I have approached the court against the police officers who framed me." Chaturvedi was called for the first round of routine questioning by the police on June 30, 2005.
"I voluntarily went to the police station for my second round of routine questioning, but they arrested me. It was only then that the police raided my house, went inside the toilet and kept some substance. They claimed I was arrested because they found drugs in my house, but it has been proved false."
Chaturvedi is now looking forward to the elections. "When I was framed, no political leader came to support me.
Yet, I will exercise my right to vote. I believe the system is suffering only because of a few errant officers and politicians, but I still trust our legal system," added Chaturvedi.
