Jaswant Singh in opium scandal

A high-profile Indian former foreign minister has been accused of serving opium-laced drinks to guests at a private family party, officials said yesterday.
Jaswant Singh, who served both as foreign and finance minister in the national government that was voted out in 2004, has denied wrongdoing at the October 31 party in his home state of Rajasthan.
Police said a local resident filed a complaint to the court against the 69-year-old Singh and nine others belonging to his Hindu nationalist BJP party -- four of them state ministers -- under India's tough anti-narcotics laws.
The law provides for a minimum sentence of 10 years, a police spokesman said.
Indian television stations broadcast clips showing guests sipping a coloured liquid from Singh's folded palms in an ancient celebration in the politician's home in Barmer district's Jasol village.
"It is a very old custom to serve opium in functions like 'Riyaan' when near and dear ones are invited for (a Hindu) thanksgiving," Singh was quoted by TV networks as saying.
"But at my function no opium was served and it was a mix of water from the Ganges river, molasses and tea," he said.