ED Notice to Mahesh Babu: Tollywood’s favorite actor Mahesh Babu has landed himself in controversy after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent notices to him for his link with a Hyderabad-based real estate group. The move follows widespread searches at Sai Surya Developers and Surana Group, two firms that have been accused of indulging in fraud.

Mahesh Babu’s Endorsement and Payment History

The actor had sponsored various projects promoted by Sai Surya Developers, a real estate company now being investigated. News has it that the company supposedly paid ₹5.9 crore to Mahesh Babu. As an endorsement payment for promotion purposes. Rs 3.4 crore of the total amount was said to have been sent through cheques. Whereas ₹2.5 crore was reportedly handed in cash. While Mahesh Babu himself is not accused of the scam. The ED is probing if the payments made to him were part of a bigger financial misappropriation racket.

ED’s Crackdown on Real Estate Frauds

The ED recently raided the Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers offices at the behest of complaints filed by the Telangana Police. The owners of the group—K. Satish Chandra Gupta (Sai Surya Developers) and Narendra Surana (Surana Group)—are alleged to have carried out illegal real estate dealings.

Some of the fraud operations under investigation include:

Selling plots in unauthorized layouts

Selling a single plot to more than one buyer

Issuance of false guarantees for property registrations

Also read: Mahesh Babu’s Heartfelt Tribute to Late Mother

Suspected Money Laundering of ₹100 Crore
The ED suspects that these realty companies have laundered close to ₹100 crore through illicit transactions. Authorities think that a part of this money might have been routed to different people. Including movie stars who were compensated for promotion endorsements.

As the probe goes further, it is to be seen whether Mahesh Babu will have to assist more in the investigation or fresh exposures happen in the growing real estate fraud.

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