Cannabis plants found on CA's farm in Kalmeshwar; farm labourer arrested, CA also booked

Nagpur: A case of illegal cannabis cultivation has come to light at a chartered accountant's farm in Dahegaon, Kalmeshwar. During investigation, it emerged that a labourer working on the farm had planted the cannabis for his own use. Kalmeshwar police have registered a case against the chartered accountant, Nitesh Sakhlecha, and the labourer. The labourer, Babloo Buddh Sahu, 40, a resident of Chanakpur, Khaparkheda, has been arrested.

Sakhlecha, a resident of Shivaji Nagar, is a chartered accountant by profession. He is associated with a well-known industrialist of the city, and is a director and CA at the industrialist's educational institution. Sakhlecha has a farm in Dahegaon, Kalmeshwar, where Sahu lives and looks after the land.

Sahu is said to be addicted to cannabis. Unable to buy it, he planted cannabis saplings near his hut. The plants had grown to five to six feet in height. Neighbouring farmers noticed them and informed the police, after which an NDPS team and Kalmeshwar police reached the spot.

Police found nine cannabis plants on the farm. On questioning, Sahu said he had planted them for his own use. A chilum and other paraphernalia used for consuming cannabis were also recovered from him. Police seized the plants and the other items, together worth Rs 40,000, and arrested Sahu.

Sahu and Sakhlecha have been booked under the NDPS Act. Sahu has denied the involvement of anyone else. Police are questioning him and tracing people linked to him.