Hyderabad Hospital CEO Nabbed With Cocaine In ₹5 Lakh Drug Bust

Dr. Namrata Chigurupati, a well-known physician and the CEO of a private hospital in Hyderabad, was detained on suspicion of buying 5 lakh worth of cocaine. On May 8, Raidurgam police arrested her when she was found accepting the illegal item from Balakrishna, a courier sent by Mumbai-based drug dealer Vansh Thakkar.

Police in the Shaikpet neighbourhood arrested Namrata and Balakrishna after receiving a tip. Both initially responded to questions in an evasive manner. Later on, though, Namrata acknowledged that she had accepted Balakrishna's delivery of 50 grammes of cocaine. Authorities confiscated two cell phones, ₹10,000 in cash, and 53 grammes of cocaine.

Police claim that while Namrata was studying for her MBA in Spain, she became addicted to cocaine. She travelled to Spain in 2017 after graduating with a Master of Doctorate in Radiation Oncology from Amrita University in Kochi, where she started using the substance recreationally on the weekends with friends. She allegedly carried on the habit after returning to India and started obtaining narcotics from Vansh Thakkar.

Namrata admitted to investigators that whenever she required drugs, she would message Thakkar via WhatsApp. Either he would deliver them himself, or he would send someone with her car number and the delivery place. She first met him in public, but then Balakrishna and other people took over the delivery.

She ordered 50 grammes of cocaine on May 4 and Thakkar told her to pay Balakrishna, the courier, ₹5 lakh. Both Namrata and Balakrishna were captured during the handover operation on May 8, the day of the exchange.

Alongside Balakrishna, Namrata, 34, was brought before the court and placed under judicial detention. In accordance with Sections 8(c) read with 21(b) and 27 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the police have filed a complaint. Vansh Thakkar is still evading capture in the meantime.

The arrest was confirmed by senior officer Venkanna, who said: "Namrata, a doctor, ordered drugs from her known contact Vansh in Mumbai. The medications were delivered to Rayadurgam by Balakrishna. The suspects were located and captured by our crew.

Namrata allegedly admitted to spending almost ₹70 lakh on drugs over time while being questioned. To identify the larger network that was involved in the operation, investigations are still being conducted.