The controversy surrounding Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko escalated for a second day, Friday, April 18th, 2025, with the Kerala Police confirming their intent to issue a formal summons to the actor following accusations of alleged drug-related misconduct.
Adding fuel to the fire, the uproar over Mr. Chacko's reported "disappearance" – allegedly fleeing a Kochi hotel during a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) inspection in the early hours of Thursday – has intensified the unfolding scandal.
A senior police official clarified that, as of now, law enforcement has not registered a case against Mr. Chacko. The DANSAF team reportedly found no drugs or any tangible evidence of substance abuse during their inspection.
However, the official emphasized that Mr. Chacko's decision to make a risky escape by jumping out of a second-floor hotel window during a police search warrants an explanation.
Furthermore, the police will be looking into the complaint filed by actress Vincy Aloshious with various film bodies, including an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC). Ms. Aloshious alleges that Mr. Chacko behaved inappropriately with her on a film set, purportedly under the influence of drugs.
The police official stated, "If the ICC's examination reveals a cognisable offence, the police can conduct a preliminary probe even without a direct complaint from the alleged victim."
Government Backs Vincy Aloshious:
Ms. Aloshious has also garnered support from the state government. Minister for Culture Saji Cherian lauded her bravery in speaking out, stating that ideally, resistance against substance abuse and misbehavior within the film industry "should come from within."
He told reporters in Alappuzha that "Vincy Aloshious has set a brave example by coming out in the open."
The controversy has erupted against the backdrop of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's ongoing statewide crackdown on narcotics, particularly synthetic drugs.3
However, Excise Minister M B Rajesh indicated that law enforcement would not be conducting arbitrary anti-narcotic raids at film locations or elsewhere. Instead, their actions would be based on credible intelligence, and film sets would not be treated as exceptions.
When contacted, B. Rakesh, secretary of the Kerala Film Producers Association, confirmed that the association had submitted a letter to the government, pledging their full cooperation with law enforcement to prevent the alleged infiltration of narcotics at production sites.
