Kochi: The explanation offered by actor Shine Tom Chacko for fleeing a hotel during a surprise inspection by the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) on April 16 continues to face serious scrutiny by the Kochi City police.
Chacko, during an interrogation session that lasted several hours on Saturday, stated that he ran from the hotel fearing for his life, having mistaken the DANSAF officers for goons. However, District Police Chief (Kochi City), Putta Vimaladitya, expressed doubts about this claim.
“If he truly feared for his life, he could have contacted us later or approached the nearest police station. He didn’t. We’re still verifying all angles,” Mr. Vimaladitya said during a press briefing on April 21.
He added that the actor could be summoned again if further clarity is needed.
As the investigation unfolds, the police are yet to find concrete evidence indicating Chacko’s involvement in a drug racket. “We can’t confirm habitual usage or drug transactions at this point. The case is still in its early stages,” Vimaladitya added.
The police also arrested 25-year-old Ahmmed Murshad from Malappuram, who was reportedly found in the actor’s hotel room, although no direct link to a drug network has been established yet.
Despite ongoing speculation, Chacko’s statement did not provide any specific details about drug use on film sets, a matter now also being looked into following actress Vincy Aloshious’ complaint to the Kerala Film Chamber.
Chacko was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 238 for causing the disappearance of evidence, and Sections 27(b) and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for alleged consumption and abetment. He was granted bail after his arrest on Saturday.
The Kochi police say that investigations will continue to probe deeper into possible links, including tracking the drug peddler whom DANSAF originally sought during the hotel operation. “We’re actively pursuing several leads under the NDPS Act,” the police chief concluded.
