Madhya Pradesh Congress chief’s brother detained in drug case in Indore; Congress slams BJP govt

Kulbhushan alias Nana Patwari, brother of Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari, has been taken into custody by Indore Police in connection with a drug trafficking case, officials said on Thursday (July 9, 2026), prompting the latter to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of indulging in “revenge” politics. 

According to the police, Mr. Kulbhushan and Manav Gangwani were detained for questioning after their names popped up during the interrogation of two men who were arrested with 10.8 grams of narcotic substance on Thursday (July 9). 

Indore zone 1 Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Narendra Rawat told The Hindu that Mr. Kulbhushan and Mr. Gangwani are currently being questioned and that further legal action will be taken based on the evidence from investigation. 

The detention drew sharp response from various Congress leaders with Mr. Patwari slamming Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and saying that his brother was taken into custody without any notice. 

“Chief Minister Ji, Indore Police has taken my brother into custody without any notice, sending this political message that the BJP is now taking ‘revenge’! The grudge is over this: anyone who raises their voice against those in power/the Chief Minister will be suppressed, even with the support of ‘law’!” Mr. Patwari wrote on X.

“I knew that due to the government’s personal malice, false legal actions would definitely be taken against me and my family! Let me reiterate! We will neither fear nor bow to this politics filled with legal pressure/influence! Instead, we will fight the ground battle with even greater strength!” he said. 

Mr. Rawat said that two men — Irfan Khan alias Gold Chanderi and Sanjay Kaushal alias Ronny — were arrested based on intelligence and that 10.8 grams of brown sugar and an SUV were recovered from them. An FIR under the NDPS Act Section 8/21 at Rajendra Nagar police station. 

“During the questioning, the accused revealed that they were going to deliver the drugs to Nana Patwari alias Kulbhushan Patwari and Manav Gangwani. Both individuals have been detained and are being interrogated,” he said. 

Mr. Rawat also said that there are nine pending criminals cases against Mr. Kulbhushan and that the records of other three men are being checked. 

“The investigation and inquiry into the case are ongoing. Whatever facts emerge during the investigation, and if any other individuals connected to this network are found to be involved, strict legal action will be taken against them in accordance with the provisions of the law,” the DCP said. 

Advocate Jai Hardia, lawyer of Mr. Kulbhushan, said that the police has not provided him information about the case that he had been detained in. 

“He was detained around 1.30 [p.m.]. The police said that he is in their custody but we have not been given much information about the case. Police are saying that he will be released if nothing is found against him in the investigation. More details about the allegations will emerge only after he comes out,” he said.