Meanwhile, actress Prayaga Martin, who was also called in for questioning, has not yet complied with the police’s request.
Published Oct 10, 2024 | 1:19 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 10, 2024 | 1:19 PM
Sreenath Bhasi. (Supplied)
Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi appeared before the Maradu police in Kochi at around 11.45 am on Thursday, 10 October, in connection with the investigation into a drug-related case involving gangster Omprakash.
Bhasi is being questioned by authorities concerning the ongoing probe into the drug party, with the focus on gathering additional details about the Party.
Meanwhile, actress Prayaga Martin, who was also called in for questioning, has not yet complied with the police’s request.
The investigation team is awaiting forensic analysis. Police remand reports reveal that both Bhasi and Prayaga were in the same hotel room when Omprakash stayed there.
In total, 22 individuals were inside the room, where it is confirmed that a drug party took place. However, it is not the first time Bhasi has been embroiled in a controversy.
In April last year, Malayalam film bodies banned actors Shane Nigam and Bhasi after receiving multiple complaints from several producers.
Subsequently, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) lifted the ban after Sreenath Bhasi wrote an apology letter where he reportedly apologised to the Producers’ Association and expressed deep regret for his behaviour in the past.
On 7 October, Omprakash and his associate, Shihas from Kollam, were arrested following a tip-off about a large-scale drug sale ahead of a concert by Norwegian DJ and music producer Alan Walker in Kochi.
It was in the custodial application submitted by the police that the names of the actors were mentioned.
During a raid on the hotel room on Sunday, police seized liquid drugs and eight bottles of alcohol. It is said that they booked three hotel rooms and were planning to carry out the sales from there.
However, Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court granted bail to Omprakash and Shihas on Monday, noting the absence of a commercial quantity of drugs in the seizure and the absence of evidence that proves that they used drugs.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya told reporters that the investigation is on and the cops were gathering details, including who all visited the hotel, the purpose of their visit, and what took place there
Omprakash is an accused in the infamous Paul Muthoot George murder case.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
