Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 22: Internal security department (ISD) sleuths subjected Yogeesh, best known for his small screen depiction of the character, 'Loose Mada' and cricketer and brother of actress Prema, N C Aiyappa, and two others relating to the drugs scandal that has rocked Sandalwood to questioning. With this the internal security department has also joined the investigation.

The department, it is gathered has served notices on several small screen stars. It is confirmed that the drugs scandal also involves the TV field and several actors and actresses from this field have been served with notices asking them to be present for questioning. Head of the department Bhaskar Rao said that as part of the state-wide operation to reach to the bottom of the drugs menace several actors and others are being subjected to investigation.

Actor Yogeesh and an employee of a private TV channel were questioned on Monday September 21, it is learnt. Yogeesh, as per sources confessed that he had been addicted to some habits when he had less opportunities several years back and said he does not have any contact now with drug sellers. He also stressed that he is in no way connected with the Sandalwood drugs trade.

It is being said that Yogeesh and actress, Ragini are friends and had attended some parties together. Two TV artistes, Abhishek and Geetha have been asked to be present for enquiry on Tuesday. It is said that cricketer Aiyappa, brother of actress Prema and a small screen actress from Kodagu were questioned by ISD officials on September 19 from morning to evening.

ISD has registered nine cases so far relating to drugs peddling. Recenly, it had taken into custody and questioned a person who was said to be in contact with international drugs peddlers. On the basis of information provided by him and on the basis of phone call records some actors, actresses, and TV artists are being questioned, sources said.

In the meanwhile, actress Parul Yadav expressed anger at the action of the police in questioning actresses relating to drugs and then making public certain videos that are not connected with the investigation. Expressing herself strongly in a social media post she wanted to know why highly placed politicians and actors whose names are often heard in the case are not arrested. She wanted to know whether the police are working for the people or the news channels. She expressed the view that the failure in controlling coronavirus is being camouflaged in the name of drugs investigation.

Director Indrajit Lankesh demanded to hand over the drugs case to Central Bureau of Investigation to see that the investigation is conducted in a right way. He said that if the investigation is conducted in a systematic manner,even dead bodies will sit up. Speaking to media on Monday after celebrating his birthday he felt that the pace of investigation so far has been slow. He pointed out that senior directors of Kannada films, actors, politicians and event managers are yet to be summoned for the probe.