Vadodara: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) with the Special Operations Group (SOG), who was on the verge of retirement, was arrested on Saturday for his alleged links with a drug peddler caught with heroin worth Rs 48 lakh earlier.The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) arrested ASI Laxmikant Desai, 57, in connection with the seizure effected on Jan 9.This is the first instance of a policeman from an elite unit being arrested in a narcotics case in the city, officials said.On Jan9, SMC sleuths had nabbed Amriksingh Malhi (37), a carrier from Chhani Jakatnaka, with 240 grams of heroin valued at Rs 47.98 lakh. He had been under surveillance and cops were chasing him after he got off a train. However, while fleeing, Malhi fell into a pit near the railway tracks near Chhani and fractured his leg.Interrogation and electronic evidence revealed that Desai was closely linked to Malhi. Sources said frequent phone calls and suspicious financial transactions between the two raised red flags. Police suspect that Desai may have been leaking sensitive information to the accused.This is not the first time Desai has come under scrutiny. SMC officials said he was earlier transferred from Vadodara to Gandhidham due to his alleged involvement in dubious activities, though he later returned to the city.Desai has been with the SOG for around four years and had earlier participated in several contraband seizures. He was due to retire later this year.“We will take the strictest action against him,” said Vadodara police commissioner Narsimha Komar.
