Popular Tamil and Telugu film actor Srikanth has been sent to judicial custody until July 7th in connection with a drug case. A Chennai court ordered the judicial remand after the actor was interrogated for several hours at the Nungambakkam police station and then formally arrested on Monday, June 23, 2025.
According to police sources, the actor is alleged to have purchased and used cocaine and maintained contacts with known drug suppliers. His blood samples were sent for medical examination, and reports reportedly confirmed drug usage. News reports indicate that police investigations revealed that Srikanth allegedly purchased cocaine approximately 40 times, spending ₹12,000 per gram. Authorities found transactions worth ₹4.72 lakh via Google Pay between the actor and the alleged supplier. Following his interrogation and positive drug test results, Srikanth was taken into police custody.
The case emerged from a broader crackdown on a drug network that was unearthed following a recent pub brawl involving a former AIADMK member, Prasad, whose arrest led investigators to a series of other suspects, culminating in Srikanth's arrest. During interrogation, Prasad admitted to supplying drugs, including cocaine, to Srikanth. He claimed that Srikanth bought one gram of cocaine for Rs 12,000 and had used drugs at private parties and clubs in Chennai. Another individual, Pradeep, also reportedly alleged that he had seen the actor using drugs during parties in clubs and that Prasad had given them to him.
Police sources indicate that Prasad had worked in film production with Srikanth, and the latter frequently socialized with the offenders. The police searched Srikanth's residence in the Nungambakkam Lake Area, where cocaine in small quantities was allegedly seized.
Srikanth, also known as Sriram Krishnamachari, is a familiar face in South Indian cinema, debuted in 2002 with Roja Kootam and has acted in nearly 70 films, including notable roles in Nanban, director Shankar's Tamil remake of the Bollywood hit 'Three Idiots'. He has received multiple awards, including Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards.
There has been no official comment yet from Srikanth's legal team.
His arrest comes amid an uptick in drug seizures and narcotics-related investigations in Tamil Nadu. The issue has triggered sharp political reactions, with opposition parties AIADMK and BJP targeting the ruling DMK, alleging a breakdown in law and order. The DMK has strongly denied the allegations, defending the police action as evidence of proactive enforcement. The Tamil Nadu Police maintain that the prevalence of drug use in the state is among the lowest in the country, even according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data and that stringent action is being taken against both peddlers and users.
The authorities are reportedly also on the lookout for another actor, Krishna, who is believed to be in Kerala, in connection to the same drug network. Investigations are underway to apprehend other individuals linked to the syndicate.
