Wednesday, June 7 2006 11:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Investigation in the sensational Rahul Mahajan drug abuse case picked up momentum with the arrest of Harish Sharma, a key aide to late Pramod Mahajan and his driver Ganesh on charges of destruction of evidence.

Sharma was arrested in the small hours of the day after several rounds of questioning that began on Sunday for his alleged role in ordering cleaning up of the 7, Safdarjung Road residence of the late BJP leader where his son Rahul had organised a small party on Thursday night.

Police believe heroin and champagne were procured and consumed at the party attended by Mahajan's aide Vivek Moitra,Sahil Zaroo, who allegedly arranged for the drugs and threen others. Rahul took critically ill after the party and Moitra died on way to Apollo Hospital.

Sharma allegedly ordered the clean up of the Mahajan residence of the vomit of Rahul and Moitra and also disturbed the scene of the incident by removing champagne bottles and washing glasses used to drink champagne.

Police said Sharma failed to give satisfactory replies to several questions put to him during interrogation at the Tughlak Road police station. He had tried to evade questioning by getting himself admitted to the Apollo Hospital complaining high blood pressure.

A team of Delhi Police officials is also visiting Mumbai to check the antecedants of persons involved in the case.