KOCHI: Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza were detained in the early hours of Sunday after authorities seized 1.5 grams of hybrid cannabis during a raid at cinematographer Sameer Thahir’s flat. The Excise Department, acting on confidential information, apprehended the directors around 2:30 AM.
The third person arrested along with Rahman and Hamsa was their friend Shalif Mohammed, sources said.
After medical examinations, both directors were formally arrested, but later released. The Excise Department confirmed that Rahman and Hamza are regular narcotics users.
In the wake of the development, the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) Directors' Union suspended both filmmakers from the body.
In a statement issued here, the union president Renji Panickar and general secretary G S Vijayan said further steps would be initiated after examining the progress of the ongoing investigation.
"1.63 grams of hybrid ganja was seized from them, and a case was registered against them under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They were released on bail later," an Excise official said.
Excise Deputy Commissioner (Ernakulam) T M Maju said Thahir would also be summoned for interrogation soon in connection with the incident.
"If he gave a space for these filmmakers for consuming drugs in his flat, we have to question him also," he told reporters later in the day.
He said the Excise Department has complete support from the government and the concerned minister in these anti-drug operations.
Meanwhile, opposition leader V D Satheesan wanted organisations like FEFKA and AMMA to take a decision not to co-operate with anyone in the film industry who consumes or distributes drugs.
Drug consumption is prevalent in all sectors, and there have already been allegations in connection with the film industry, the LoP told reporters in nearby Paravur when his reaction was sought on the arrest of filmmakers.
Celebrities, who influence young people as role models, should not be drug consumers, he opined.
Stressing the need for more stringent action against drug consumption, he said raids should be conducted wherever the usage of narcotics is reported.
"The problem is that the government is not paying much attention to the enforcement. There is no point in catching those who consume drugs and release them on bail later," he said adding that the need of the hour is to find out those who supply the contraband substance.
Rahman, known for directing films like Alappuzha Gymkhana and Thallumaala, and acting in Manjumal Boys, along with Hamza, the director of Thamaasha, Bheemante Vazhi, and Sulaikha Manzil, were reportedly preparing to use the substance when the raid took place. Several of their associates were also detained in connection with the incident.
The incident happened days after actor Shine Tom Chacko was arrested in a drug case after escaping from a hotel during a raid.
(With inputs from PTI)