Hyderabad drug racket: Tollywood actor Subbaraju begins to squeal, say sources

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team on cases related to drugs on Friday grilled Tollywood actor P. Subbaraju, who acted in the recent blockbuster ‘Bahubali-2’, for more than 13 hours. Subbaraju allegedly did not co-operate with the SIT until after the lunch break, sources said.

Official sources said that Subbaraju answered only ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and avoided many questions. “He even refused lunch initially but ate later. We came to the conclusion that he was avoiding our questions and hiding facts,” the sources said.

When the SIT asked about drug consumption and parties organised by Puri Jagannath, Subbaraju replied he did not know about them and said he was not a drug addict. When they showed a photograph taken in Bangkok by prime accused in drug cases Calvin, Subbaraju replied that it was taken in Bangkok but he did not consume any drug at that time or at any other time.

As the director of enforcement Mr Akun Sabharwal was told about Subbaraju’s non-cooperation, he himself came in to question the man and he started talking.

Sources said that Subbaraju revealed a few more names, including those of 15 top stars and their kin in Tollywood. “While he was revealing some interesting points on the drug culture in the film industry, his pulse rate began to drop. We called in a medical team. Doctors gave him snacks and asked him to rest,” sources said. Meanwhile, friends and associates of Subbaraju requested excise officials to allow him to go home, assuring them that he would appear before them whenever called. But the officials did not budge.

Subbaraju said, “It is a serious case and I will be available.” for questioning.”Mr. Sabharwal told media that Subbaraju was co-operating with the SIT and the interrogation was continuing. “We are getting useful information from him,” he said.

Commissioner of Prohibition and Excise R.V. Chandravadan said the investigators were expecting some “important clues” from Subbaraju.