A Pune court has granted bail to Dr. Pranjal Khewalkar, son-in-law of former Maharashtra minister Eknath Khadse, in connection with a high-profile drug party case. Khewalkar, along with co-accused Prachi Sharma and Sripad Yadav, was released on bail by Additional Sessions Judge J G Dorle.
The case stems from a raid conducted by the Pune Crime Branch on July 27 at a studio apartment in Kharadi, where authorities seized substances resembling cocaine and marijuana, hookah paraphernalia, and liquor bottles. Seven individuals were arrested and booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Key Details:
Accused: Dr. Pranjal Khewalkar, Prachi Sharma, and Sripad Yadav
Charges: Possession and consumption of narcotics
Seized Substances: Cocaine, marijuana, hookah, and liquor bottles
Court Decision: Bail granted by Additional Sessions Judge J G Dorle
The Court observed the seriousness of the allegations while weighing the arguments regarding the personal nature of the gathering and the absence of prior criminal records for the accused. Additional Sessions Judge J G Dorle granted bail to Dr Pranjal Khewalkar, Shripad Yadav, and Prachi Sharma, allowing them to await further investigation outside custody.
The court’s decision to grant bail has sparked interest, given the high-profile nature of the case and Khewalkar’s connection to prominent politician Eknath Khadse.
