Mahesh Babu Summoned by ED in ₹100-Crore Real Estate Money Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu for questioning on April 27 in a money laundering investigation tied to Hyderabad-based real estate firms Sai Surya Developers and the Surana Group.
Sources in the ED allege that Mahesh Babu received ₹5.9 crore for endorsing Sai Surya Developers, including ₹2.5 crore in alleged unaccounted cash, which investigators suspect could be linked to proceeds of real estate fraud.
According to ED officials, the actor was paid ₹3.4 crore through formal banking channels, and ₹2.5 crore in cash by Sai Surya Developers. The alleged cash component, they say, could be part of illicit funds generated through fraudulent real estate deals.
An ED source familiar with the investigation said, “We are examining the financial trail, and the actor has been asked to clarify the nature of the payments received and whether he was aware of the source of the funds.”
The ED, on April 16, conducted searches at four locations in Hyderabad and Secunderabad under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. During the raids, officials seized documents related to unauthorised land sales, cash transactions, and ₹74.5 lakh in unaccounted cash.
The total value of the suspected money laundering case is estimated at ₹100 crore.
The money laundering probe stems from multiple FIRs registered by Telangana Police against Bhagyanagar Properties Limited director Narendra Surana and Sai Surya Developers proprietor K Sathish Chandra.
They are accused of collecting large advance payments from homebuyers for plots that were either never registered or were sold multiple times. Many of the layouts were unauthorised and not approved by the appropriate authorities.
“These are clear acts of criminal intent to deceive the public and launder the proceeds through dubious real estate schemes,” said an ED official.
Mahesh Babu is one of the most prominent actors in Telugu cinema and has been the face of multiple high-profile brand endorsements. His association with Sai Surya Developers brought credibility to the now-controversial firm, investigators say.
The ED’s summons is part of a broader crackdown on celebrity endorsements tied to fraudulent businesses.
Mahesh Babu is expected to appear before the ED in Hyderabad on April 27. The agency will seek clarification on his financial dealings with the accused firms and whether he had any knowledge of their legal troubles.
