Prakash and his associates were allegedly procuring cocaine
Kochi police announced that they will extend their investigation into a drugs case to include prominent names in the Malayalam film industry.
This comes after the arrest of notorious gangster Om Prakash and his accomplices at a luxury hotel.
The names of actors Sreenath Bhasi and Prayaga Martin emerged in the custody application report submitted by the Maradu police.
In addition to Prakash’s arrest, police found suspected narcotic substances in the hotel room. Samples have now been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Police claim they expect to gain clearer insights into the situation once the test results are available.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
He stated that the team is actively gathering details about the visitors to the hotel, their reasons for being there and the activities that took place.
The commissioner clarified: “So far, no formal notices have been issued to the film actors.”
He claimed that while they have not yet been formally summoned, they will be soon as part of the investigation.
The police launched the inquiry after filing cases under various laws, including the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Prakash and his accomplices were arrested at the Maradu Hotel on charges of possessing illegal narcotics.
According to reports, Prakash and his associates were allegedly procuring cocaine from abroad and distributing it at parties.
They were under surveillance by the police intelligence unit.
To evade detection, Prakash reportedly booked hotel rooms under another person’s name.
Investigations claimed that over 20 individuals, including Bhasi and Martin, had visited the gangster at the hotel.
Meanwhile, Prayaga Martin has denied knowing the criminal.
She said: “I don’t know Om Prakash personally. To be honest, I only heard his name when a mediaperson approached me for an interview today.
“I had gone to the hotel in Maradu to visit some friends.”
“Since I had to board the Vande Bharat train in the morning to attend a function in Kozhikode, I asked my friends if I could sleep in the room for some time.
“There was a child there and I slept along with her in the room for two hours. It is unfortunate that I was there at the time.”
The inclusion of Bhasi and Martin’s names comes amid renewed scrutiny of the Malayalam film industry.
It has faced allegations of drug abuse and sexual harassment against female actors.
These claims have resurfaced following revelations from the Justice K Hema Committee report, leading to significant public outcry in the state.
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