Comedian Bharti Singh arrested by Narcotics Bureau following seizure of ‘ganja’

Nov. 21: Popular comedian Bharti Singh of The Kapil Sharma Show fame was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau on Saturday after recovery of ganja (cannabis) from her house in Andheri, Mumbai. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) team probing the use of drugs in Bollywood conducted a raid at her residence and office and recovered 86.5 grams of ganja. It was then that comedian Bharti Singh and her husband Harsh Limbachiyaa, were taken to the NCB’s Mumbai office for questioning.

Both Bharti and her husband Haarsh Limbachiyaa are reported to have confessed to the consumption of the banned substance. While Bharti has been arrested, her husband’s grilling is underway. Bharti will be produced before the court on Sunday. Bharti will be kept in custody at the NCB office for tonight.

Bharti Singh’s name had cropped up during the interrogation of a drug peddler. The raids come amid an expanding probe – which began with inquiries into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in June – into alleged drug use by members of the entertainment industry.

The quantity allegedly seized from Singh’s possession is considered as “small quantity” under the Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as against “commercial quantity.” Upto 1,000 grams of ganja is considered small quantity, which attracts jail term upto six months and/or fine of ₹10,000. Possession of commercial quantity — 20 kg or more — can attract upto 20 years in jail. For the quantity in between, the punishment can be as much as 10 years in jail.

Bharti Singh has appeared in many comedy and reality shows on TV. She has also hosted a few such shows. She regularly features in the most popular The Kapil Sharma Show and also hosts the popular dance reality show India’s Best Dancer on Sony TV.