Karnataka drugs case: Two actors summoned, ex-minister's son raided

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru have summoned Kannada actor-couple Diganth and Aindrita Ray in connection with the drugs case that has sparked a major controversy in Karnataka and even got multiple film personalities behind the bars.

The CCB, which is probing the narcotics case allegedly involving bigwigs, also raided the lavish bungalow of Aditya Alva, son of former minister and late Jeevaraj Alva in the city. Aditya Alva is an accused in the case but has not been arrested so far.

Diganth and Aindrita have been asked to appear before the probe agency at 11 am on Wednesday (September 16).

Diganth, as Diganth Manchale is popularly known, had made his debut in Kannada films in Miss California in 2006. He has acted in many movies but remarkable among them are Gaalipata, Pancharangi and Lifeu Ishtene and Parijata. Aindrita started her career in the film industry with Meravanige. She is known for her performance in the movie Manasaare.

The CCB took up the drugs case after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested three people with a huge cache of synthetic drugs, who were allegedly supplying them to the Kannada film actors and actresses.

Cases have been registered against 15 people so far in this connection and nine arrested, police sources said. Those arrested in the case include film actors Sanjjanaa Galrani, Ragini Dwivedi, party organiser Viren Khanna, realtor Rahul and an RTO clerk B K Ravishankar.

Related news: Drugs probe in Karnataka sparks BJP-Congress verbal spat

Alva, who is an accused in the case, is at large ever since the CCB sleuths launched a crackdown against the drug haul in the state capital, targeting those who arrange rave parties. In a statement, the CCB said, “Search warrant obtained and searches being conducted at Aditya Alva’s house near Hebbal called ‘House of Life’.”

The police team stormed into his grand house with a swimming pool right next to the scenic and magnificent Hebbal lake and searched the premises. The bungalow is spread over four acres and is allegedly used by Alva to organise parties.