The questioning is part of the investigation linked to Taslima Sultana alias Christina (41), who was earlier arrested with hybrid cannabis.
Published Apr 28, 2025 | 12:34 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 28, 2025 | 12:34 PM
Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi appear for questioning . (X)
Actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi appeared before the excise officials in Alappuzha on Monday, 28 April, in connection with the ongoing hybrid cannabis case.
Shine reached the office at 7.30 am, followed by Sreenath Bhasi at 8.15 am, who was accompanied by his lawyer.
The questioning is part of the investigation linked to Taslima Sultana alias Christina (41), who was earlier arrested with hybrid cannabis.
Authorities had reportedly found her to have connections with the two actors and Palakkad-based model K Soumya, though no direct evidence of cannabis transactions has been established. All three had been asked to appear for questioning by 10 am on Monday.
Earlier this month, Shine Tom Chacko made headlines for his involvement in a controversy. His Soothravakyam co-actor, Vincy Aloshious, filed a complaint with the Internal Committee (IC), alleging that Shine Tom had misbehaved with her on set. She had also alleged that he spat white powder. In the next couple of days, the actor was reportedly seen fleeing from a hotel in Kochi when the DANSAF squad of the Kerala Police arrived during a drug raid.
Two days later, Shine Tom was questioned by the police, arrested and released on station bail. During interrogation, it was 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, and confirmed speaking to her over the phone on multiple occasions.
Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya recently said key statements are being recorded and that it’s too early to verify Shine’s claims linking the film industry to drug use. “The search for drug dealer Shajeer continues, and Shine may be questioned again,” he added.
The actor was 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 inspection on the Kochi hotel took place on the intervening night of Wednesday, 16 April and Thursday, 17 April. 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 reportedly told the police that he fled the hotel room after mistaking the “strangers” for a gang of goons.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman).
