Tamil-Telugu actor Srikanth, also known as Sriram, was arrested by the Chennai Police in a drugs case after testing positive for narcotic use and after suspicious transactions were found on his phone.

As per ANI, during questioning, the police reportedly found proof that connected actor Srikanth to a drug network. He was then taken to a magistrate’s house for a hearing. After the hearing, he was sent to jail (judicial custody) until July 7. Srikanth is also set to file a bail plea.

Srikanth was summoned for questioning on Monday by the Anti-Narcotics Intelligence Unit (ANIU) and reportedly admitted to purchasing cocaine around 40 times, at Rs 12,000 per gram. Investigations revealed he had spent a total of RS 4.72 lakh on drugs via Google Pay. His blood test, conducted at a government hospital, also confirmed the presence of narcotics.

He was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The case emerged after Prasad, a former AIADMK IT wing member, was arrested following a brawl at a Nungambakkam pub. During interrogation, Prasad named Srikanth as a regular customer. Another individual, Pradeep, also claimed he had seen Srikanth using drugs at multiple club parties and identified Prasad as the supplier.

Srikanth was born in Chennai to a Tamil mother from Kumbakonam and a Telugu father from Chittoor. His career began in 1999 with the TV show Jannal – Marabu Kavithaigal. His first appearance in cinema was in the 2002 Tamil film Roja Kootam, followed by the Telugu film Okariki Okaru in 2003.

He has starred in several films such as Manasellam, Varnjalam, Kanna Kandein, Oru Naal Kanavu, Bambara Kannale, Mercury Pookkal, East Coast Road, Poo, Sathurangam and Nanban. Recently, he has appeared in the Tamil film Konjam Kadhal Konjam Modhal, Telugu film Erracheera and JioCinema’s web series Harikatha.