Kochi: The Ernakulam Excise Division filed the chargesheet in the hybrid ganja seizure case involving filmmakers Khalid Rahman, Ashraf Hamza, and cinematographer Sameer Thahir. The chargesheet was submitted before the Ernakulam First Class Judicial Magistrate Court by Assistant Excise Commissioner Mohammed Harris on Thursday. Shalif Mohammed, a friend of the directors, has also been named as an accused in the case.

According to excise officials, all four have been charged under Section 20(b)(ii)(A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which pertains to offences involving a small quantity of cannabis. 

The case stems from the seizure of 1.6 grams of hybrid ganja from a flat in Kochi rented out by Thahir, during a raid conducted in the early hours of April 27. Rahman, Hamza, and Shalif Mohammed were arrested from the premises by the excise team. As the quantity seized fell under the “small quantity” category, the trio were granted bail from the excise office itself shortly after their arrest.

Thahir, who was not present at the flat during the raid, was summoned for questioning a few days later and subsequently arrested and released on bail.

“Although Thahir was not present at the time of the raid, he was included as an accused since the flat was rented in his name,” excise sources said. “The charges against all four accused carry a maximum punishment of one year’s rigorous imprisonment, a fine of ₹10,000, or both,” excise sources said.

Rahman, a native of Thoppumpady in Ernakulam, is known for directing films such as Unda, Thallumaala, and Alappuzha Gymkhana. Hamza, from Ponnani in Malappuram, has helmed Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. Thahir, one of Malayalam cinema’s leading cinematographers, is known for his work in Aavesham, Bangalore Days, etc.

Meanwhile, the excise are yet to arrest a Kozhikode-native man, who is suspected to be the supplier of seized ganja to the accused persons.