Job scam, land mafia: What cops found after arresting Tamil actor in drugs case

The Chennai Police on Monday arrested Tamil actor Srikanth on charges of drug abuse. But, apart from Srikanth's arrest, police unearthed a job scam and land grab mafia after arresting Prasad, a key accused, while probing a pub brawl case.

On May 22, police were alerted to a heated argument at a nightclub between two gangs, leading to the filing of two cases where eight men were arrested. Following Prasad's arrest, police conducted a search operation at his residence where they found he was allegedly involved in a job racket, collecting Rs 2 crore.

Police went through Prasad's bank transactions and said he allegedly acquired money between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 20 lakh from 200 people with the promise of getting candidates jobs in the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Greater Chennai Corporation, Water Board, Income Tax Department and Railways.

Police also said that Prasad, through his contacts in the police department, had acquired call details and locations of people, threatened them and got money. The investigation also led to the arrest of Senthil, an armed reserve head constable in Madurai.

Prasad, through his friend Pradeep and another contact from Ghana, identified as John, had acquired cocaine and sold it to his friends by conducting a 'drug party'. A police team also seized 11 grams of cocaine and evidence of drug sale-related online transactions.

Following this, police arrested Srikanth after getting evidence. The team is on the lookout for several accused who are on the run. Srikanth was arrested for alleged links with Prasad. His blood sample was collected and sent for testing.

Police have also arrested Prasad's friend Ajay Vandaiyar, who, along with others - Senthil, Nagendra Sethupathi and Sivasankaran - were involved in land grabbing from landowners in Chennai and certain NRIs using force, threats and creating fake documents.

Police also said that Vandaiyar used his company called AJ Trust and Enterprises for money transaction, which is currently under investigation.

- Ends