The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Tamil film actor K. Srikanth and Krishna Kumar have been issued summons to appear before the agency in connection with its money laundering probe in the cocaine smuggling case registered by the Greater Chennai Police. Sources gave this information on Thursday.Sources said that Srikanth has been asked to appear for questioning on October 28 and Krishna Kumar on October 29 at the ED office in Nungambakkam.The ED regional office has issued summons to Srikanth (46) to appear before the agency on October 27 and Kumar on October 28, officials said. Officials said that the statements of both the artists will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
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Officials said the investigation is related to a cocaine smuggling case, which stemmed from an FIR lodged by the Chennai Police in June. The police had arrested the two actors and some others in this connection, who were later granted conditional bail from the Madras High Court in July. In this case, the police had also arrested a former AIADMK functionary T. Prasad, who is accused of supplying cocaine to Srikanth and some others.
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Enforcement Directorate sought permission from the court for interrogation. The Enforcement Directorate has decided to directly interrogate jailed Prashant, Jawahar and Pradeep Kumar. For this, the Enforcement Directorate has filed a petition in the special court for drug cases. There is a plan to start investigating these criminals as soon as the court gives permission.It is expected that this will reveal the facts of the case and illegal money laundering.
Rs 40,000 seized from main accused John
It is also alleged that Pradeep Kumar had obtained the drugs from John, who is considered one of the main accused in the case. The Enforcement Directorate also said that Rs 40,000 has been seized as evidence of the transaction. This deepens the scope of the case and reveals the links between money laundering and drug distribution. Thus, this case is moving from a simple arrest involving actors to exposing a large-scale illegal business.