Latest news with #KeralaExciseDepartment
Gulf News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Kerala drug case: Excise issues notice to three to appear with actors Shine Tom, Bhasi
Kochi: Two days after Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi were summoned, the Kerala Excise Department on Friday issued summons to three more people asking them to appear for questioning. The move follows the arrest of Tasleem Sultana and one of her accomplices from a resort near Alappuzha on April 1, after a tip-off. The operation resulted in the seizure of hybrid ganja worth approximately Rs 2 crore in the open market. Later, the Excise officials arrested one more person who is closely associated with Sultana. The names of the three have been withheld as, at the moment, there is a lack of evidence against them, but what has surfaced is that they had frequent interactions with Sultana. The three include a Kochi-based female model, a person who has close links with the Malayalam film industry and another man who was a participant in a popular reality show. Even though the Excise officials are pursuing the case regarding matters connected to drugs, during the interrogation of the three arrested, they have stumbled on evidence with regards to gold smuggling and even an alleged sex racket. This evidence, which the Excise got, will soon be transferred to the Kerala Police. During interrogation, Sultana allegedly named several clients from the Malayalam film industry, including actors Chacko and Bhasi. Sensing trouble, Bhasi had filed an anticipatory bail plea, which he withdrew within hours before the Kerala High Court. Excise officials had earlier stated that they would summon the actors if needed. It was following detailed questioning of Sultana and her associates that notices were issued to Chacko and Bhasi, and on further probe, they stumbled upon three more people. The Excise officials are now planning to question the five people who have been asked to appear before them individually and also jointly. Excise officials, with assistance from digital forensic experts, are understood to have retrieved crucial chat messages between Bhasi and Sultana. Sultana, originally from Kannur, is believed to have operated out of Chennai, frequently travelling to Kochi and Alappuzha -- key locations in her alleged distribution network. Apart from her suspected involvement in narcotics, she is known to have worked in minor film roles and assisted with script translations, which gave her access to the film industry.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vincy Aloshious apologises to the Film Chamber official, vows to cooperate with the monitoring committee
Malayalam actor , who had recently filed a formal complaint against a co-actor for misbehaving with her under the influence of drugs during a film shoot, has now offered an apology to Kerala Film Chamber general secretary Saji Nanthiyattu and announced her willingness to cooperate with the chamber-led monitoring committee investigating the issue. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'I was misinformed by certain individuals' Vincy had earlier voiced her disappointment against various film industry bodies in Kerala for allegedly failing to maintain the confidentiality of her complaint. She believed that the general secretary had leaked the name of the accused actor to the media, despite her specific request to keep it under wraps to protect the film's prospects and those involved. From a shy girl to a hottie, the transformation was indeed a miracle, says Vincy Aloshoius, Nayika Nayakan finalist According to On Manorama, speaking to the media in Pathanamthitta on Monday, she clarified her position and extended an apology: 'I initially believed that the general secretary of the film chamber had disclosed the accused's name, despite my request to keep the matter confidential. However, I've come to understand that I was misinformed by certain individuals. I sincerely apologize to Saji Nanthiyattu for the misunderstanding.' She added that she remains committed to cooperating with the Film Chamber-led monitoring committee in their ongoing inquiry. The complaint, which reportedly concerns actor , has also drawn the attention of the Kerala Excise Department. Excise Minister M. B. Rajesh recently confirmed that Vincy has agreed to support the police investigation into the narcotics case involving the actor. Not to be part of empowerment campaigns Vincy also revealed earlier to the media that she dares to stand and fight alone, and she won't be a part of any empowerment campaigns. Industry divided Amid the issue, actor Mala Parvathy's statement regarding on-set misconduct has sparked controversies. Actress Revathy slammed the 'Bheeshma Parvam' actor's statements by sharing a note on Facebook that read, 'Shame on you, Mala Parvathy! You are a trained psychologist and lawyer, and yet you support perpetrators like these. This shows that you are an opportunist. Too sad, and I don't have any respect for you.'
Gulf News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf News
Actor Sreenath Bhasi accused of demanding drugs on film set, producer speaks out
Dubai: Malayalam actor Sreenath Bhasi has been accused of demanding cannabis during the shoot of the movie Namukku Court-il Kaanam by film producer Haseeb Malabar. In an interview with Mathrubhumi News, Haseeb alleged that Bhasi insisted on receiving 'stuff to smoke' around 3am on the film's set through an intermediary. According to the producer, the actor made it clear that he needed cannabis to get into the mood to act. 'He asked me to send the 'stuff' through someone. I was shocked. But we didn't raise a complaint at the time because we didn't want to disrupt the shoot,' said Haseeb. He also claimed that Bhasi used the on-set caravan to smoke and barred others from entering. These revelations come in the wake of Bhasi's recent legal troubles. Earlier this month, the actor withdrew his anticipatory bail plea in connection with the Alappuzha hybrid cannabis case. The case stems from the arrest of alleged drug peddler Taslima Sultana, who reportedly named Bhasi as one of her clients. Bhasi has denied the allegations, stating that he never purchased or consumed cannabis and that Sultana had contacted him posing as a fan under the alias 'Christina.' The Kerala Excise Department has intensified its probe and may summon several film industry figures, including Bhasi, for questioning as investigations continue.
