The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted bail to actors Srikanth and Krishna, who were arrested last month for allegedly purchasing cocaine for personal use.

Justice M Nirmal Kumar allowed their release on bail subject to certain conditions, including the execution of a ₹10,000 bond with two sureties. The actors have also been directed to cooperate with the investigation and report to the police every morning at 10:30 AM for the next two weeks.

Both were booked under Sections 8(c), 22(b), 27, and 29(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Background of the Case

The arrests followed the apprehension of one Pradeep Kumar at a Nungambakkam bus stop, from whom a gram of cocaine was allegedly recovered. Kumar named a Ghanaian national, John, as his supplier, leading to John’s arrest from Hosur with ten 1-gram packets of cocaine. Both Kumar and John reportedly told the police that the two actors were among their customers, prompting the arrests of Srikanth and Krishna in the last week of June.

A medical test confirmed cocaine presence in Srikanth’s system, while Krishna tested negative. Srikanth denied knowingly consuming the drug and told the court that any substance found in his body may have been ingested unintentionally during his work-related social interactions. Krishna’s counsel argued that his arrest was based solely on a co-accused’s statement, which is inadmissible as evidence.

The actors also submitted that the allegations, even if assumed true, pertain only to personal consumption and not commercial activity, which makes them eligible for bail under Section 27 of the NDPS Act.

The State opposed the bail, citing a crackdown on drug use in elite circles. However, the Court held that since the charge relates solely to personal use and not drug trafficking, bail could be granted.

“It is seen that the petitioners purchased cocaine only for their personal consumption and hence, the case against the petitioners attracts Section 27 of NDPS Act. Hence, this Court is inclined to grant bail to the petitioners with certain conditions,” the Court observed.

Representation

• Srikanth was represented by Senior Counsel R John Sathyan and Advocate K Prem Anand.

• Krishna was represented by Advocate L Infant Dinesh.

• The State was represented by Government Advocate (Criminal Side) R Vinothraja.