The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned actor Mahesh Babu for questioning on April 27 in connection with the Surana and Sai Surya Developers case. The ED has identified that Mahesh Babu allegedly received Rs 3.4 crore for promoting these two real estate companies, which are facing allegations of defrauding buyers.
In its investigation into money laundering, the ED has issued the summons as part of its ongoing probe. According to the ED, Mahesh Babu was reportedly paid Rs 5.9 crore for endorsing projects from Sai Surya Developers, with Rs 3.4 crore paid via cheque and Rs 2.5 crore in cash. The ED suspects that the cash component is linked to the money laundering activities under investigation.
The ED began its probe based on FIRs filed by Telangana Police against Narendra Surana, Director of Bhagyanagar Properties Limited, K. Satish Chandra Gupta, owner of Sai Surya Developers, and other involved parties. The allegations include the sale of plots in unauthorized layouts, selling the same plots multiple times, and providing false registration promises. These activities allegedly led to the companies collecting crores of rupees in advance payments from buyers.
While there is no direct evidence of Mahesh Babu’s involvement in the fraudulent activities, the ED is examining the payments he received from the developers.
In related developments, during raids on April 16, the ED seized several documents and cash-related evidence from the Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers’ offices. The documents reportedly point to large-scale financial irregularities, including suspicious transactions amounting to Rs 100 crore.