Shine Tom Chacko’s hotel escape during raid under scrutiny; Kochi police doubt actor’s explanation

Kochi City police question actor Shine Tom Chacko's hotel escape during drug inspection, investigation ongoing.

The Kochi City police seem far from convinced about actor Shine Tom Chacko’s reasoning for fleeing a hotel in the city during an inspection by the city police’s District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force (DANSAF) last Wednesday (April 16, 2025) night.

During the hours-long interrogation on Saturday, the actor told the police that he fled as he feared for his life since he had mistaken the police personnel for goons.

“If that was the case, he could have contacted the police or approached us later. But that didn’t happen. We are verifying it as part of the investigation and further information is also being sought from him,” Putta Vimaladitya, District Police Chief (Kochi City), told the media in Kochi on Monday (April 21).

He said the actor would be summoned again if the police had to elicit further information.

Asked about whether the actor was a habitual user of drugs, Mr. Vimaladitya said it would be premature to confirm since more details need to be verified. “Also, there is hardly any specific evidence about his alleged drug transactions, though it is under investigation,” he said.

Mr. Vimaladitya said the investigation was in the initial stages and hence whether more accused were involved could not be confirmed now. “We registered the case because his interrogation prima facie revealed things that need to be investigated. That he fled the hotel during the police check was also suspicious. However, we haven’t taken any coercive action yet,” he said.

The police have not yet received any evidence linking the co-accused of Mr. Chacko to any drug racket. Ahmmed Murshad, 25, of Malappuram, who was allegedly found in Mr. Chacko’s hotel room, was also booked.