Hyderabad: The mobile phone book, call data records, and WhatsApp conversations, as well as the confessional statements, of Calvin Mascarenhas and Zeeshan Ali Khan, arrested on drug peddling charges, led the enforcement wing of the prohibition and excise department to Tollywood celebrities on whom notices were served on Wednesday and Thursday.
The director of the enforcement wing of the prohibition and excise department, Mr Akun Sabharwal, confirmed that notices were sent to 12 persons belonging to the film industry, but he refused to divulge further details.
Sources said there are incriminating WhatsApp messages about film director Puri Jagannath, and actor Navadeep but there is no strong evidence against film star Ravi Teja.
A senior excise official said, “When we tried to serve notice to actress Mumaith Khan at her local address in Panjagutta, which belongs to a dancer, he refused to take the notice. So the notice has been sent to her Mumbai address. Cinematogra-pher Shyam K Naidu’s father refused to take the notice. All the others, including Puri Jagannath, Charmee, Subba Raju, Tarun and Chinna, acknowledged receiving notices.”
The Special Invesitgation Team has identified Calvin Mascarenhas and Zeeshan Ali Khan as key suppliers to Tollywood.
Mr Sabharwal said the questioning of those who have been served notices will take place at Abkari Bhavan. “So far we have registered four cases related to drugs and sent notices to film persons for getting more evidence. All the 12 persons served notices under section 67 of the NDPS Act acknowledged receiving them,” he said.
