Fake drug case: Breakthrough as informant found, a friend of Sheela’s relative
Thrissur: Almost a year after the event, there has been a turning point in the Chalakudy fake LSD stamp case. The person who tipped the excise officials about beauty parlour owner Sheela Sunny has been found and named in the list of accused.
Investigation found that the tip was provided by a 52-year-old man who is a close friend of Sheela’s close relative. The investigation team headed by Crime branch Assistant Commissioner T M Manju submitted a report to the Thrissur sessions court on January 31. It was difficult to find this person as the call providing information came from a foreign number.
It has been found that he has some business dealings in Bengaluru. Sheela’s relative, a woman, also lives in Bengaluru. The woman was under suspicion of involvement since the beginning of the investigation and the investigation surrounding her led the police to nab the informant. Although the woman was questioned earlier, she repeated that she was innocent. However, the woman’s investments in a private bank in Tripunithura turned out to be a crucial key for the investigation. It is indicated that internal family matters is the reason why the woman asked her friend to trap Sheela in the drug case.
The man has not yet accepted the notice issued to appear before the investigating team. Thus, the team will proceed with the procedures of arrest and questioning.
Sheela Sunny (51), owner of 'She Style' beauty parlour in Chalakudy, was arrested on February 27 for allegedly possessing 12 LSD stamps worth Rs 60,000. The excise officials then maintained that Sheela had been involved in illicit drug business under the pretext of running the parlour.
In a raid that followed, excise officials found 12 LSD stamps hidden inside her scooter and bag. Sheela was granted bail by the high court on May 10 after being jailed for 72 days in Viyyur Jail. The case gained traction when the chemical analysis of the drugs revealed that the seized substances were not drugs. The High Court acquitted Sheela after accepting this report.