Actor Shine Tom Chacko arrested in drug case; released on bail

Kochi | Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested on Saturday in connection with alleged drug use but was released on station bail the same day. He was granted bail after a medical examination and other formalities.

Police have directed him to appear again on April 21.

The arrest followed a nearly four-hour-long interrogation related to an incident in which Chacko allegedly fled from a Kochi hotel during a narcotics raid.

According to police, he was booked under Section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 27 (drug consumption) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Chacko has been named as the first accused in the FIR, with Malappuram native Ahmed Murshad listed as the second accused, police officers said.

The FIR states that a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) team under Kochi City Police found the two using drugs and engaged in a criminal conspiracy in Room No 314 of a hotel near Kaloor on Wednesday night.

Upon noticing the police, Chacko allegedly fled through a window in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

During questioning, Chacko reportedly admitted to drug use, the FIR notes.

Police sources said he escaped by jumping onto a sheet covering the second floor and using the staircase to exit the building. Chacko appeared at the Ernakulam North Police Station for questioning on Saturday in response to a formal notice.

He arrived around 10 am—half an hour ahead of the scheduled time—accompanied by his lawyers.

The interrogation, led by Ernakulam Central ACP C Jayakumar and Narcotic Cell ACP K A Abdul Salam, included a 32-point questionnaire and an examination of the actor’s phone records from recent months.

Police sources said Chacko claimed he fled out of fear, thinking those knocking on his door were not law enforcement officials but individuals intending to harm him.

He did not speak to the media while arriving at or leaving the station. He was released around 5.30 pm after completing formalities.

Murshad has also been arrested in connection with the case.

Earlier, actor Vincy Aloshious filed a complaint with the Film Chamber, accusing Chacko of inappropriate behaviour while under the influence of drugs.

She had also informed the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) about his misconduct on the sets of the unreleased film 'Soothravakyam', though no police complaint has been filed.

Ernakulam Additional Sessions Court recently acquitted Chacko in a 2015 drug case citing procedural lapses by the police during the seizure and arrest.

Team ‘Soothravakyam’ supports ICC inquiry into actor Vincy Aloshious'' allegations

Kochi | The team behind the upcoming Malayalam film 'Soothravakyam', starring Vincy Aloshious and Shine Tom Chacko, on Saturday expressed full support for the ongoing inquiry by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and the Film Chamber into Vincy's complaint of alleged misconduct by Chacko on the film’s set.

At a press conference, producer Srikanth Kandragula said the ICC and the Film Chamber would hold a meeting on April 21 to investigate the matter.

"Not as a producer, but as someone who deeply cares for Malayalam cinema, I want fairness and transparency. The committee must uncover facts that may not be known to the crew," he said.

Kandragula, who is also an actor and director, clarified that the set was drug-free to the best of his knowledge.

His statement comes in the wake of Shine Tom Chacko’s arrest in a separate drug case, from which he was released on bail the same day.

He said he only came to know of the allegations through the media the next day and immediately directed the ICC to take up the issue.

Kandragula said the rumours and negativity surrounding the film had unfortunately cast a shadow over the hard work and dedication of more than 300 artists, from the director to the light boys, who gave their best to the project.

"I beg you—don’t kill my movie for something I didn’t know or do," he pleaded.

He also clarified that he had not engaged in any promotional or marketing activity for the film.

Responding to social media allegations that the controversy was a marketing strategy, Kandragula said, "No one would use such a sensitive topic as a marketing strategy."

Malayalam actor Vincy Aloshious had earlier filed a complaint with the Film Chamber, alleging that Shine Tom Chacko behaved "inappropriately" with her under the influence of drugs.

Although she also reported the incident to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), she has not filed a police complaint.

Kandragula said the discussion scheduled for April 21 would not focus solely on Vincy's complaint but would be open to anyone from the set who may have faced similar issues.

"This is not about just one or two individuals. We want to hear from anyone who experienced any kind of misconduct on the set," he said.

"Our commitment is clear—justice should prevail, and every voice deserves to be heard," he added.

Director Eugien Jos Chirammel and scriptwriter Rejin S Babu were also present at the press conference.

Although the shooting of 'Soothravakyam' is complete, the makers are yet to finalise a release date.