Latest news with #Thahir
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cinematographer Sameer Thahir arrested after hybrid ganja seizure at his Kochi flat
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Noted Malayalam cinematographer and filmmaker Sameer Thahir was arrested on Monday (May 5) by the Excise Department in Kochi, days after a drug bust at his flat led to the detention of two well-known directors. Sameer Thahir unaware of any substance use According to On Manorama reports, the arrest comes under Section 25 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which pertains to allowing premises to be used for narcotic-related offences. Thahir, who was later released on bail, has claimed he was unaware of any substance use occurring at the premises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invest $200 in Amazon without buying stocks to earn a second salary Marketsall Undo Minnal Murali | Song - Thee Minnal Following the arrest of Khalid and Ashraf The development follows the arrest of directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, along with their friend Shalif Mohammed, who were caught with 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja at Thahir's flat in the early hours of Sunday last week. All three were released on station bail after the seizure. However, the incident has caused a significant stir in the Malayalam film industry. Sameer Thahir asked to vacate Meanwhile, the fallout has extended to Sameer Thahir's residential situation. As reported by Mathrubhumi, the flat owners' association of the luxury apartment complex in Kochi has issued a formal notice requesting that Thahir vacate the premises, citing damage to the community's reputation and emotional distress among residents. The flat is reportedly owned by a native of Thrissur and had been leased to the 'Minnal Murali' cinematographer. FEFKA takes action The Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union has taken disciplinary action by suspending both Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa from the organization pending further investigation. The Excise Department, led by Assistant Excise Commissioner M F Suresh, is continuing a detailed probe to trace the origin of the narcotics.
India Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Malayalam cinematographer Sameer Thahir arrested in drug case, released on bail
Malayalam cinematographer-turned-director Sameer Thahir was arrested by the Excise Department on Monday in connection with the hybrid ganja case involving filmmakers Khalid Rahman and Ashraf duo was caught with the contraband at an apartment in Kochi, which was reportedly rented by Thahir for film-related discussions. The Aavesham cinematographer was summoned for questioning following the arrests and was later granted to excise officials, although Thahir claimed he was unaware of any drug use at the premises, a case was registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as the apartment was under his name. "He said he knew them but wasn't aware of the drug use. What we understood is also the same," an official stated. "However, under the NDPS Act, he is not supposed to allow a crime to take place on his premises."Officials added that Thahir had visited the apartment in the morning and left by evening, and was unaware of who was present later that day. Ashraf Hamza had reportedly been staying there for the past two days in connection with a film officials told media, "We had earlier issued him a notice to appear for questioning. Following the interrogation, his arrest was recorded under the NDPS Act, and he was granted bail."advertisement
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Cinematographer Sameer Thahir arrested after ganja seizure, released on bail
Renowned Kerala-based cinematographer Sameer Thahir was arrested on Monday in connection with a recent drug seizure case involving noted directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa, Excise officials said. (Also read: Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza arrested for possession of drugs, released on bail: Report) Thahir was arrested under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and later released on bail, they added. On April 27, three individuals—including Rahman and Hamsa—were arrested with 1.63 grams of hybrid ganja from a flat in Kochi rented by Thahir. The arrests were made during a midnight raid following a tip-off. A senior Excise official stated that Thahir was arrested because the crime occurred in a property rented under his name. "We had earlier issued him a notice to appear for questioning. Following the interrogation, his arrest was recorded under the NDPS Act, and he was granted bail," the official told the media. According to Thahir's statement, he was unaware that the directors were consuming drugs. He said several film personalities frequented the apartment for movie-related discussions, and he did not know of any drug use. "The flat was rented by Thahir. As per the NDPS Act, such an offence should not occur on premises under one's name. That is why action was taken against him," the officer explained. The Excise department also said they had identified the individual who supplied the ganja to the directors and that an arrest would be made soon. Rahman and Hamsa, known for several critically acclaimed Malayalam films, were granted station bail after the raid. The incident comes just days after actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested in a separate drug-related case following a hotel raid from which he attempted to flee. Thahir is best known for his work as a cinematographer in acclaimed Malayalam films such as 'Bangalore Days' and 'Big B'.
The Hindu
30-04-2025
- The Hindu
Arrest of two directors with ‘hybrid ganja': excise serves notice on director Sameer Thahir
The excise officials have served a notice directing cinematographer-turned-director Sameer Thahir to appear before the agency in connection with the incident in which Malayalam movie directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamsa were nabbed with 1.5 g of suspected hybrid ganja during a pre-dawn raid on Sunday. They were arrested from an apartment near Marine Drive that belonged to Mr. Thahir. Reportedly, he has been asked to appear within a week. Another person, Shalif Muhammad, was also arrested along with the directors. Among other things, the excise may ask Mr. Thahir whether he was aware of and had given consent to the use of ganja in his apartment, an offence which may attract the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Section 25A (punishment for using property for illegal drug activities). The apartment is purportedly being used for film-related discussions and work. According to excise officials, the director duo was about to use ganja when they were nabbed from the apartment. Shalif had reportedly bought the contraband from a supplier in Kerala. While the excise has details about the supplier, including his mobile phone number, he could not be tracked yet. More details about the source of the drug could be known only after apprehending him, said excise sources. The accused may be further summoned if the investigation officer gets any fresh leads warranting it. Mr. Rahman is the director of movies Alappuzha Gymkhana, Thallumala and Unda, while Mr. Hamsa directed Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. Since the quantity in their possession was small, the accused were released on bail. They reportedly claimed that they converged at the apartment to discuss a movie. According to excise sources, the duo had escaped by a whisker in a similar raid at the apartment in March. Since then, the FEFKA Directors' Union has decided to suspend the two directors. The raid was carried out on specific intelligence input, complete with the apartment details.
