Actors Srikanth, Krishna Get Bail In Chennai Drug Case

The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted bail to actors Srikanth and Krishna in the high-profile drug case.

The court delivered its verdict on the bail petitions filed by both actors, who were earlier booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act by the Greater Chennai City Police.

The Chennai Drug Case

The case came to light when Srikanth was arrested for his alleged involvement in drug procurement through a dealer identified as Pradeep Kumar. Investigations revealed that Srikanth had purchased drugs from Pradeep at the rate of ₹12,000 per gram, with a transaction of ₹4.72 lakh traced between them.

The actor later admitted in court that he had indeed consumed drugs, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Actor Krishna was also arrested in connection with the same case but maintained his innocence throughout. Despite undergoing an 18-hour-long interrogation, Krishna insisted that he never used drugs, citing health issues and a potential allergy as reasons for abstaining. He further claimed he had no ties with Pradeep Kumar and shared only a cordial relationship with Srikanth.

The case originated from a bar brawl in Nungambakkam in May, which led to the arrest of eight individuals, including Prasad, an AIADMK functionary. During the investigation, police uncovered links between Prasad and an active drug cartel involving Pradeep Kumar (also known as Prado) and his associates, including John, a Ghanaian national operating from Bengaluru.

The police alleged that Prasad had been sourcing cocaine from them over the past three years and distributing it to his inner circle, which included actor Srikanth. Both Prasad and Srikanth were arrested on June 23 as part of this ongoing investigation, the Hindu reported.

The arrests didn't stop there. Actor Krishna and a drug supplier identified as Jaswir alias Kevin were nabbed on June 26. Continuing their crackdown, Nungambakkam Police further arrested Fayaz Ahamed, 32, from Royapettah, who allegedly supplied drugs to those already in custody. Fayaz was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

So far, over 25 people have been arrested by the Nungambakkam Police in this growing cocaine scandal.

Srikanth is best known for his work in Tamil cinema, with notable films including Manasellam, Varnajalam, Kana Kandein, Oru Naal Kanavu, Bambara Kannale, Mercury Pookkal, East Coast Road, Poo, and Sathurangam. Actor Krishna, on the other hand, has appeared in movies such as Kazhugu, Vanavarayan Vallavarayan, Vanmam, and Yatchan.