Alappuzha: In the case involving the seizure of three kg of hybrid cannabis worth Rs 2 crore from a resort in Omanappuzha, the Excise Department has submitted the charge sheet to Alappuzha Additional Sessions Court II.

Actor Shine Tom Chacko has been found to have no connection with the case. Actor Sreenath Bhasi is listed as the 21st witness.

The main accused in the case are Thaslima Sulthana (also known as Christina, 41), her assistant Firoz from Mannancherry, and her husband and alleged mastermind Sulthan Akbar Ali (43). They are listed as the first, second, and third accused respectively. All three are currently in remand and have been named as the only accused in the case.

Extensive charge sheet

The charge sheet, spanning over 2,000 pages, includes 55 witnesses. Statements from more than 200 people were recorded during the investigation. It also contains confidential statements made in court by six individuals, including actor Sreenath Bhasi. Thaslima's two minor children have also been named as witnesses.

Excise opposes bail plea

The Excise Department has requested that bail not be granted to the accused and that the trial be conducted while they remain in custody. Although they were eligible for automatic bail after 60 days in remand, the charge sheet was submitted on the 58th day. The cannabis was originally seized on 1 April.

The charges filed in the case carry a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a fine. While several people, including TV reality show actor Jinto and model Soumya, were questioned during the investigation, the Excise Department found no evidence linking them to the case.

Strong evidence collected

The charge sheet is supported by over 200 documents, including digital records. Flight details were collected to prove that Sulthan brought the hybrid cannabis from Malaysia. The accused reportedly used fake SIM cards, and the actual owners of those numbers have been made witnesses in the case.

The car used to transport the cannabis to Alappuzha was rented using forged documents. The investigation found that some individuals, including actor Sreenath Bhasi, were approached to buy cannabis but refused. Phone call records and WhatsApp chats related to these interactions have been submitted as evidence. Financial transaction details between the accused were also included.

Children used as cover

It was found that the accused used Thaslima’s children as a cover while transporting the cannabis. The drugs were hidden in a lodge and a friend’s apartment. CCTV footage from these locations has also been collected.

The charge sheet was filed by a team led by Assistant Commissioner S. Ashok Kumar, under the supervision of Excise Deputy Commissioner S. Vinod Kumar.