Sandalwood Drug Racket Live Updates: Hunt for Aditya Alva on; CCB nabs another peddler

Actor Ragini Dwivedi's bail hearing verdict has been adjourned to September 24 by the court on Monday. Along with this, the court has also asked the Public prosecutor to file an objection on bail for Sanjjana Galrani by September 24. Both the actresses are currently lodged at the Parpanna Agrahara Jail.

The alleged drug racket prevalent in the Kannada film industry - 'Sandalwood' - came to light when deceased journalist Gauri Lankesh's brother - Indrajit Lankesh - revealed the involvement of certain actors in the drug menace. He named two actresses who were allegedly not being interrogated due to the supposed political connections. Police sources claim that drugs being supplied through the ‘dark net’ were detected while raiding the places belonging to a few drug peddlers. NCB conducted raids in the city and seized drugs like  LSD, MDMA, ecstasy, cannabis worth Rs 1.25 crore which were being supplied to local youth. The CCD has expanded its probe into the drug racket as it summoned many people and conducted several arrests so far.

Earlier this week CCB has intensified its search for Kannada actor Aditya Alva's, after raiding the actor's house in connection to the Sandalwood drug racket. Alva, who is the son of ex-JD(S) minister late Jeevaraj Alva and brother-in-law of actor Vivek Oberoi, is one of the prime accused in the drug case. He has been absconding since September 4, as per sources. Apart from Alva, Shivaprakash Chuppi, and Sheik Faazil - the prime accused in the case are reportedly absconding. So far 12 people have been arrested including actors Ragini Dwivedi and Sanjjanaa Galrani. Both actors are in judicial custody. 

On Sunday, alleged drug peddler named Srinivas Subramanian also known as 'Sri' was detained by the CCB in connection with alleged drug possession. Several narcotics substances including 13 ecstasy tablets, 100 grams of marijuana, 1.1 grams of MDMA  and 0.5 grams of hashish were seized from his flat by the police. Sources revealed that one of the actresses from the Kannada film industry who is currently in custody had allegedly visited the drug peddler's flat 3-4 times in the last few months.