Mahajan drug abuse case: Police to verify death of co-accused

New Delhi: The city police has been asked by a Delhi court to verify if Harish Sharma, a close aide of slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and co-accused in the drug abuse-cum-peddling case involving Rahul Mahajan, has died.Additional Sessions Judge Lal Singh issued notice to the police seeking the reply of the investigating officer (IO) of the case to Sharma's counsel plea that his client died on 10 February this year due to prolonged illness.

"SK Santoshi, advocate has filed an application informing about the death of accused Harish Sharma, stating therein that Harish Sharma had expired on 10 February, 2012 after prolonged illness."Let notice be issued to the IO/SHO to verify the death of accused Harish Sharma and submit report on the next date of hearing on 12 April, 2012," the judge said.Rahul Mahajan, along with Harish Sharma, Sahil Zaroo, Nigerian nationals Abdul Latif Ashola alias Mohd Abdullah, Egbedokun James Taiwo and others are facing trial under the IPC and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for their alleged roles in the case.The court deferred the hearing to 12 April as it was yet to receive the main case file, which was sent to the Delhi High Court earlier.Rahul Mahajan is accused of consuming and distributing drugs at the official residence of his slain father in a late night party on 2 June, 2006.PTI