Actors Srikanth and Krishna granted conditional bail in drug case

India Today

a day ago

The Madras High Court has granted conditional bail to actors Srikanth and Krishna, who were arrested in connection with a drug-related case. This decision comes after their initial bail pleas were dismissed by the Special NDPS Court in Chennai, leading the actors to file fresh petitions. The case has garnered significant public attention due to the involvement of well-known personalities.The arrests of Srikanth and Krishna, which occurred on June 23 and June 26 respectively, were based on the confession of the main accused, Pradeep Kumar, who implicated them in drug consumption. Srikanth's lawyer, John Sathyan, argued that no drugs were found in Srikanth's possession at the time of his arrest, highlighting the lack of direct evidence.advertisementKrishna's legal representative contended that Krishna was detained despite voluntarily cooperating with police enquiries. The lawyer stated that the arrest notice lacked specific reasons for detention and mentioned that medical tests showed Krishna had not consumed drugs. This point was emphasised to question the validity of the arrest.
During the hearing, Justice Nirmal Kumar questioned the prosecution, asking, 'How much of the narcotic substance did each of them purchase?' The government counsel explained that the arrests stemmed from a broader investigation into drug circulation linked to a murder attempt case. This context added complexity to the legal proceedings.Details surfaced during an investigation involving a former AIADMK functionary, leading to the arrest of the primary suspect, Praveen Kumar, whose statement implicated the actors. It was clarified that Srikanth was apprehended while at home with his child, which was a point of contention during the hearing.The conditional bail requires both actors to post a personal bond of Rs 10,000 each and provide surety from two individuals of the same amount. Furthermore, they are mandated to appear daily before the investigating officer until further notice. These conditions are intended to ensure their cooperation with the ongoing investigation.Initially, Justice Nirmal Kumar indicated that an order would be passed the following day. However, the decision was expedited in the afternoon when both parties were called for a final verdict. This swift decision was unexpected and added a new twist to the proceedings.This ruling allows Srikanth and Krishna temporary relief, although they remain under strict conditions as investigations continue.- EndsMust Watch