Former National Wrestler Arrested in Opium Smuggling Case, Alleges Widespread Drug Use in ‘Akhadas’
NEW DELHI – A 31-year-old former national-level wrestler, who had been a fugitive for nearly three years, has been apprehended by the Delhi Police in connection with an alleged opium smuggling operation. The arrest has cast a spotlight on claims of prevalent drug use within India’s traditional wrestling training centers, known as ‘akhadas’.
Amit Sheoran, a bronze medalist at the 2013 National Cadet Wrestling competition, was taken into custody near Madhuban Chowk Metro Station on Tuesday night following a joint operation by the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Jharkhand Police. Sheoran, a resident of Rohtak, was declared a proclaimed offender in December 2023 and was wanted by Jharkhand Police in an NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) case registered at Dhurwa (Tupudana) police station in Ranchi.
According to police, Sheoran is suspected of sourcing opium for distribution to wrestling training centers across Haryana and Delhi. Following his arrest, he was handed over to the Jharkhand Police for further judicial proceedings.
Shocking Allegations of Opium Use Among Wrestlers
The investigation has taken a compelling turn with Sheoran’s disclosures during interrogation. He reportedly informed investigators that he had personally witnessed numerous wrestlers consuming opium during his training periods at the esteemed Mehar Singh Akhada in Rohtak and Delhi’s iconic Chhatrasal Stadium.
"Many wrestlers used to take opium to increase their working hours and practice sessions," Sheoran allegedly told investigators, a statement confirmed by the Delhi Police. These claims have emerged as part of a broader police investigation into an alleged drug-supply network targeting wrestlers in North India.
The initial breakthrough in the case came in April 2023 with the arrest of Jharkhand-based supplier Rajesh Nag, who was found in possession of nearly half a kilogram of opium. During his questioning, Nag reportedly confessed that his drug supplies were "specifically dedicated to the wrestlers of North India" and identified Sheoran as one of the primary recipients.
It is crucial to note that these allegations are part of an ongoing police investigation and do not yet constitute a definitive confirmation of widespread opium use among wrestlers at the mentioned training centers.
From National Medalist to Alleged Drug Trafficker
Sheoran’s journey from a promising national-level wrestler to an alleged participant in a drug network is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by some athletes. Despite his medal win, his aspirations of securing a job with the Indian Railways were ultimately unsuccessful, according to the Crime Branch.
Police stated that Sheoran was allegedly "lured to work as a drug supplier with the promise to earn quick and easy money" by an associate identified as Ranjeet. Prior to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking, Sheoran reportedly worked as a bouncer at bars and nightclubs in Delhi.
His lengthy evasion of arrest came to an end thanks to "credible human intelligence input" regarding his movements in the Ranibagh-Pitampura area. On August 18, a joint team of the Delhi Police Crime Branch and Jharkhand Police successfully laid a trap near Madhuban Chowk Metro Station, apprehending Sheoran at approximately 10 PM.
Police records indicate that Sheoran is currently implicated in six criminal cases. The Crime Branch has hailed his arrest as "a major blow to organised crime," emphasizing that it was the result of continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated field operations targeting individuals evading the judicial process.
Sheoran’s arrest and subsequent allegations are expected to prompt a deeper look into the welfare and practices within wrestling ‘akhadas’, raising important questions about support systems for athletes and the potential vulnerabilities to illicit activities.
