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BJP leader sends defamation notice to Bengal Minister over ‘drug peddler’ remark

BJP leader Pamela Goswami has served a defamation notice to West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja for calling her a “drug peddler” after she joined junior doctors, who are protesting against the RG Kar rape-murder case. Goswami asked Panja to provide proof of her being involved in any illegal activity and issue an apology within seven days.
Shashi Panja made the remark on September 12 after images surfaced showing Goswami sitting with the junior doctors during their sit-in demonstration outside Swasthya Bhawan.
“We are anguished by the tragic loss of our daughter, yet BJP leader Pamela Goswami, infamous for her drug arrest, appeared at the junior doctors’ protest. Junior doctors, don’t be swayed by their theatrics. Continue your noble service to the people!” Panja said, with the Trinamool Congress sharing a video of her remark on their official X handle.
Accusing the BJP leader of participating in “apolitical” protests, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) stated that Goswami joined the doctors’ protest to “politicise the RG Kar tragedy”.
Goswami and two other persons were arrested in February 2021 following the recovery of cocaine weighing 76 grams from her car. Another BJP leader, Rakesh Singh, was arrested in the same case.
Pamela Goswami shared a copy of her notice on X, stating that upon investigation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) concluded that a narcotic substance was planted on her “due to animosity” and that she was subsequently discharged from the case as no evidence was found against her.
“Knowing the facts fully well, Dr Shaashi Panja has deliberately, with an ulterior motive, made allegations stating that I am a drug peddler! Such baseless allegations against me are made by her only to cast political colour on the whistle-blowers and forerunners of the ongoing protest,” Goswami told India Today TV.
Responding to her remark, West Bengal minister Panja told India Today TV that she hadn’t received any notice.

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