According to sources, call data records revealed regular communication between Shine and Sajeer, contradicting the actor’s initial claims.
Published Apr 19, 2025 | 4:21 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2025 | 7:07 PM
Shine Tom Chacko. (X)
Synopsis: Actor Shine Tom Chacko faces serious trouble as Kerala police link him to drug peddler Sajeer through call and bank records. CCTV shows him fleeing a hotel during a drug raid. A drug test is planned. Earlier, actress Vincy Aloshious accused him of drug use on set but later withdrew her complaint, expressing concern over privacy and career impact.
Actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested in Kochi, Kerala, after he reported at the North Police Station for questioning in a narcotics-related case on Saturday, 19 April. He was later released on station bail.
The police had served him a summons for questioning in connection with his escape from a hotel, when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action (DANSAF) knocked at the door of his room, 314 of Hotel PGS Vedanta at Kaloor.
The actor has been booked under sections 27 (consumption of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The police took him to the District General Hospital, Ernakulam, for the mandatory medical examination.
The actor arrived at the station around 10 am, half an hour earlier than 10:30 am. Avoiding the media, Shine went directly inside the station.
The Ernakulam Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) led the interrogation.
Shine reportedly told the police that he fled the hotel room after mistaking the “strangers” for a gang of goons.
Though the actor denied any drug links, the police, reports said, confronted him with digital evidence — phone and bank transaction records — to show his alleged connection with a Fort Kochi-based drug peddler, Sajeer.
According to sources, call data records revealed regular communication between Shine and Sajeer, contradicting the actor’s initial claims.
Sources said the police might move the collect Shine’s hair strands and nails for a drug test, after he refused to cooperate with the examination.
The inspection on the Kochi hotel took place on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. On seeing the DANSAF team through the door peephole, the actor escaped through the window of the third-floor room, jumped on to a roof below, and leapt into a swimming pool before hurrying down the stairs, and running across the lobby to the road.
The police was searching for Sajeer in the hotel. However, on noticing Shine’s name in the register, the team went to the actor’s room.
Shine was granted station bail and released from the Ernakulam Town North police station at 5:30 pm on Saturday.
He has been directed to appear before police on Tuesday. However, the actor stated he would present himself on Monday, 21 April, suggesting further questioning is imminent.
During interrogation, it is learnt that Shine admitted to using cannabis and methamphetamine, and revealed he had undergone a 12-day stay at a drug rehabilitation center last year, arranged by his father.
However, he left the facility without completing the treatment.
The actor also admitted to being acquainted with Taslima Sultana alias Christina, the accused in the Alappuzha hybrid cannabis case, and confirmed speaking to her over the phone on multiple occasions.
According to the FIR, new details have emerged linking Shine to the case.
Ahmed Murshad, a native of Malappuram, has been named as the second accused.
The actor came into the police radar after Vincy Aloshious spoke about being mistreated by him on a film set.
While speaking of the same, Vincy had also claimed that Shine Tom Chacko was under the influence of drugs. She added, “When we were practising a scene, he was spitting some kind of white powder onto the table. It was very evident that he was using drug on the film set.”
However, she had later decided to withdraw her complaint against co-actor Shine Tom Chacko, citing a “breach of trust”.
Vincy had requested confidentiality to Film Chamber but was disheartened when the actor’s name became public, especially after Shine was linked to a drug raid at a Kochi hotel, though no drugs were found.
Expressing her disappointment, Vincy said the issue should not affect the film or the actor’s career, emphasising the need to support talent and allow space for correction.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman).
