Shine Tom Chacko, booked under NDPS Act Sections 27 and 29, underwent a mandatory medical test. He told police drug use is widespread in the industry but only two actors are named
Published Apr 20, 2025 | 8:23 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 20, 2025 | 11:18 PM
Actor Shine Tom Chacko appears for questioning. (X)
Synopsis: Actor Shine Tom Chacko, recently arrested in a Kochi drug case, is likely to challenge the FIR and may move the High Court if his blood test is clean. Arrested on 19 April after reporting for questioning, he was granted station bail. The case involves his alleged escape from a hotel during a raid by the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force
Actor Shine Tom Chacko is reportedly planning to challenge the FIR filed against him in a recent drug case, and is currently seeking legal counsel to quash the charges.
Sources close to the actor suggest he may approach the High Court if his blood test returns clean, claiming the case is baseless.
Shine was scheduled for further police questioning tomorrow, 20 April. He was arrested on April 19 after presenting himself at the North Police Station in Kochi for interrogation in a narcotics-related case.
He was later granted station bail. The case stems from his alleged escape from Hotel PGS Vedanta in Kaloor when a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) team arrived for a raid.
Shine’s interrogation has been postponed, and a new date will be announced later. The City Police Commissioner has called for a meeting with the SIT tomorrow, 20 April.
The investigation team has decided to proceed with Shine’s interrogation only after thoroughly analysing his previous statements.
Police have booked Shine under Sections 27 (consumption of narcotics) and 29 (abetment and conspiracy) of the NDPS Act. He underwent a mandatory medical examination at the District General Hospital, Ernakulam.
In his initial statement to police, Shine claimed drug use is prevalent in the Malayalam film industry and named several top actors. However, he clarified that only he and one other actor have been named in the current case.
Meanwhile, Shine’s Easter wishes—shared via a poster for his upcoming film Angel No 16—have triggered a wave of online discussions.
The controversy is also stirring reactions within the Malayalam film fraternity. The Kerala Film Chamber will convene a meeting in Kochi tomorrow, with members of the Soothravakyam crew and the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) expected to attend.
The chamber is reportedly considering a ban on Shine from future projects. The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) has also demanded a formal explanation from him by Monday, 21 April.
Excise Minister MB Rajesh confirmed that actor Vincy Aloshious, who had earlier accused Shine of misbehaving with female co-stars under the influence of drugs, has pledged full cooperation with the ongoing probe. Vincy has filed complaints with both the Kerala Film Chamber and AMMA.
Lauding her courage, the minister said, “She is ready to stand by her statements and cooperate fully with the investigation.” He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on drug abuse, saying, “This is a war against drugs. No one, including celebrities, will be spared. The state will take strict action.”
Actress Ranjini has strongly criticised Maala Parvathi for her controversial remarks suggesting women in the film industry should learn to manage inappropriate behaviour instead of treating it as a serious issue.
In a Facebook post, Ranjini expressed her disappointment, calling Maala an opportunist and saying she had lost all respect for her.
Maala Parvathi, a trained psychologist and lawyer, sparked outrage during a recent interview where she downplayed instances of sexual harassment in cinema.
She said women should not be overly sensitive to comments like someone offering to adjust their blouse or asking to meet in private, and advised brushing off such remarks to survive in the industry.
Comparing workplace harassment to navigating traffic, she suggested that facing such situations is inevitable and managing them is a necessary skill.
Her comments came at a time when the industry is supporting actress Vincy Aloshious, who spoke out against working with drug users in cinema and revealed that she and a colleague were subjected to inappropriate behaviour by Shine Tomchacko on set
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
