In a significant development in the ongoing drugs case involving the Tamil film industry, actors Srikanth and Krishna have been granted conditional bail by the Madras High Court. The decision, made on July 8, 2025, comes after weeks of investigation, multiple arrests, and intense media scrutiny. Both actors have been instructed to cooperate fully with the police and to report to the investigation officer regularly until further notice.
Srikanth’s arrest on June 23 sent shockwaves through the film fraternity. His name surfaced during the interrogation of T Prasad, a member of the AIADMK IT wing, who was earlier arrested following a brawl at a bar in Nungambakkam. Investigators allegedly discovered cocaine in Prasad’s possession and, upon examining his phone, found WhatsApp chats that linked Srikanth to the drug network. According to police reports, Srikanth purchased cocaine worth Rs ent12,000 from Prasad and used it during a party related to his upcoming film Theekirai, which Prasad is co-producing. A medical examination reportedly confirmed the presence of narcotics in Srikanth’s system.
Soon after, the investigation widened, pulling in actor Krishna, who had been missing during the initial stages of the inquiry. On June 26, following a lengthy 17-hour interrogation, Krishna was taken into custody along with a suspected drug peddler named Kevin. Krishna, the brother of noted filmmaker Vishnu Vardhan, had allegedly evaded police summons and even fled to Kerala to avoid arrest, prompting authorities to form multiple special teams to locate him.
During police questioning, Srikanth reportedly identified Krishna as a regular participant in drug-fueled gatherings. This prompted an intensive search at Krishna’s residence in Besant Nagar. However, Krishna denied any involvement in drug use, citing health conditions such as heart and stomach ailments that would prevent him from consuming narcotics. Subsequent medical tests reportedly backed his claim, finding no traces of drug use.
The case initially began with the arrest of Prasad, whose phone data led investigators to a broader drug network. This included Pradeep Kumar, believed to be Prasad’s supplier, and eventually pointed toward the involvement of celebrities. Srikanth was earlier remanded to judicial custody until July 7 by the 14th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Egmore, considering his public profile and his child’s health condition.
While both actors are now out on bail, the investigation remains active. The Madras High Court’s ruling has emphasized their responsibility to assist law enforcement, as police continue to scrutinize phone records, financial transactions, and connections within the suspected drug circle.
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