The drug issue has become a 'big' menace for the police and narcotics departments, and there is strong vigilance on various celebrities who 'might' have links with drug peddlers. A few years back, there was lots of action on this front in Hyderabad, with excise and prohibition officials trying to hunt down all those involved.

However, like all big cases, this one took time, too, and people's interest in the news fizzled. Now, Telangana Excise and Prohibition department has handed over a 'dossier' to the Enforcement Directorate-Hyderabad unit in the five-year-old drug trafficking and abuse case involving Tollywood celebrities.

The dossier is said to include an 800-page file, 60 GB of video evidence, and 10 audio recordings. The 800-page file includes FIRs, a charge sheet, and statements of accused, witnesses, and suspects of the 12 cases booked. Meanwhile, the 60 GB of evidence includes a CD and pen drive. The video is said to contain video recordings of Tollywood celebrities shot at the Excise office in 2017 during questioning. The audio evidence is decoded that has call detailed records of the accused.

At the time, no cases were booked against Tollywood celebrities due to lack of evidence. The case is now being probed for money laundering by ED following directions of the High Court. In March 2022, ED filed a contempt case against Telangana's chief secretary and Excise department for 'non-compliance' with the state High Court order.

However, despite all the 'evidence' Narcotics Control Bureau may not get involved as the overall amount of drugs purchased amounts to Rs 25 lakh in all 12 cases put together. Also, Section 64 of the NDPS Act grants immunity from prosecution if the addicts volunteer for medical treatment, and they will not be liable for prosecution.

After much delay, the cold case turned hot after ED sent a letter to the Excise department on November 20, 2020, asking for details. ED then summoned the accused in 2021. The actors and directors accused include Rakul Preet, Ravi Teja, and his driver, Tarun, Mumaith Khan, director Puri Jagannath, Charmee Kaur, and Navdeep.

After many twists and turns, the ED is now investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).