PANAJI: The Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik on Wednesday said that the government would take appropriate decision as regards to handing over the police-drug dealer nexus case to the Central Bureau of Investigation if police probe finds substantial evidence especially after recording the statement of Ms Lucky Farmhouse (alias Amori).

Addressing a press conference here, the Home Minister said that the state police were doing a fine job and have recorded statement of all the accused in the case including Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, who has gone missing
since August 7.

He said that everybody, including the Nationalist Congress Party, National Students Union of India, etc were free to demand CBI probe but the case could be given only if there was substantial evidence and added that the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat would have taken a decision in that regard while he (Ravi) was in hospital for a month. Mr Naik, however, ruled out Atala’s flight out of the country saying that according to the best of his knowledge the accused in drug case did not possess valid papers to leave the country. He expressed confidence that the police would be able to track him down and bring him to justice.

He further said that the police have approached the Narcotic Drugs Psychotropic Substances Court for cancellation of bail granted to the alleged drug dealer and a look out notice has been issued against him and all airports and police across the country have been alerted. The accused was released on execution of personal bond of Rs 50,000 with one surety in the like amount, he added.

The Home Minister also said that since Atala was staying in a hotel and there were no specific directions from the court, a watch was not kept on him. He said that the directions issued by the court to the accused were that he should not interfere directly or indirectly with any of the witnesses or the investigations and report to inquiry officer as and when required until filing of the charge sheet.

Responding to a query on why Atala was not deported, he said that since he has been accused in a serious case deportation could not be done, adding that many get involved in minor crimes to avoid deportation.

He further said that a police team headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Ravindra K Yadav would travel to Sweden to record the statement of Ms Farmhouse. He said that the government of India has already accorded its approval for the travel of the team and permission from Swedish authorities was expected.

Stating that he was against drugs and would ensure that the drug trade was completely "wiped out," Mr Naik went on to add that the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party was attempting to divert the minds of the people from main issues like petrol pilferage, bomb blast case involving Sanathan Sanstha. He also said that he has received complaint from the people of Pernem suggesting involvement of certain politicians and that the police were on their trail.

Meanwhile, addressing the media on Wednesday, the Superintendent of Police, Special Cell, Mr Atmaram Deshpande said police teams have been dispatched to different places outside the state to locate Atala. He further stated that as the police wanted Atala for some clarification about his other co-accused and his presence was required, a team had gone to his known address at Angels Resorts, Porvorim on August 7 but Atala was not found there. As per the hotel records, Atala had arrived in the hotel on June 24 and checked out on July 13 after paying Rs 30,000 as hotel charges.