KOCHI: Investigators probing the cocaine seizure case are still struggling to ascertain the whereabouts of three accused persons.
Though they had given their names as Sneha Babu, Tincy Babu and Reshma Rangaswamy hailing from Kanjirappally, Kollam and Kozhikode respectively, it appears that the addresses are fake. The other accused are actor Shine Tom and assistant director Blessy Silvester.
When Express tried to collect details about Sneha, it was learnt that there is no such person by that name and address at Kanjirappally. She had claimed to be running a Dubai-based firm called Travel Mart. However, Travel Mart denied any such person was either its partner or staffer.
According to Police Commissioner K G James, the investigation team is still checking the antecedents of the accused. “We are yet to confirm their names and addresses. The investigation team is checking their backgrounds in consultation with the local police stations,” he said.
James refuted allegations that police were “settling” the case to protect some “big fish” involved in it. Investigating officer Francis Shelby said the police needed some more time to gather more details.
He said businessman Mohammed Nisham had bought the flat from one Nizar. “But the name in the register has not been changed so far. Though there are rumours that the flat was bought in the name of Nisham’s brother whose name is also Nizar, we can’t confirm this,” Shelby said.
Meanwhile, security officials at Skyline Topaz said Nisham had visited the flat a few days before the police raid. “Nisham visited the flat three or four times before the Saturday raid,” said Cherian, a security guard. “He had come here with his wife a couple of times. There are also instances when he came alone,” he said.
“If he had visited the flat, he would have met Blessy who rented it and was staying there. We’ll submit a petition before the Chalakkudy magistrate on Wednesday for his custody”, said a police official. Nisham may have links with the source of the cocaine, he added.
Meanwhile, Narcotics Control Bureau officials collected the phone numbers and addresses of the accused.