FEFKA secretary gives ‘one last chance’ to Shine Tom Chacko: ‘Should not be seen as a criminal’

One last warning has been given to Shine Tom Chacko regarding his alleged drug use on sets. B. Unnikrishnan, the general secretary of the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) urged the actor to correct his behaviour and granted him a last chance upon his request, stating that he is a talented thespian and that such individuals "should not be seen as criminals".

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PTI quoted Unnikrishnan saying, "People who get addicted to such behaviours or practices should be given an opportunity to correct themselves as that is the humane thing to do. But this humane approach should not be seen as a weakness.”

According to ANI, the film body also reached out to Chacko’s family members to ensure that he receives professional help to overcome his drug use problem.

FEFKA also held discussions with a representative of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) warning that "it would be difficult to move forward with film production in the prevailing circumstances" if such practices were adopted by the actors' body.

Chacko’s drug use came to light when Vincy Aloshious, the co-star of his upcoming film Soothravakyam, released a video on Instagram last week, detailing uncomfortable experiences with Chacko on set. Aloshious later lodged a complaint before the Film Chamber accusing him of “inappropriate behaviour”.

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On April 16, the District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) conducted a raid at the hotel where Chacko was staying, which prompted him to escape by jumping out of the room window. Since no drugs were recovered from the hotel, no case has been registered in connection with the incident. However, the actor has been booked under section 238 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and sections 27 (drug consumption) and 29 (abetment and criminal conspiracy) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

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