Renowned Telugu actor Mahesh Babu has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to real estate firms based in Hyderabad. According to a report by news agency PTI, the 49-year-old actor has been asked to appear before the ED's regional office in Hyderabad on April 28.

The development is part of a broader investigation into alleged financial irregularities and fraud committed by two Hyderabad-based companies—Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers.

ED Investigates Endorsement Payments Worth Crores

Sources close to the matter revealed that the ED is seeking clarity on endorsement payments made to Mahesh Babu by the companies currently under investigation. These transactions, reportedly amounting to ₹5.9 crore, were paid to the actor in the form of both cheque and cash. The central agency is examining whether these payments were legitimate or if they were part of the alleged money laundering operations conducted by the real estate firms.

Officials have suggested that Mahesh Babu may have promoted real estate projects associated with these companies as a brand ambassador, possibly without any knowledge of the fraudulent activities being conducted behind the scenes.

Background of the Case: Massive Investor Fraud Alleged

The money laundering case originates from a complaint filed by the Telangana Police. The primary accused include Sathish Chandra Gupta, the owner of Sai Surya Developers, and Narendra Surana, the director of Bhagyanagar Properties Ltd., among others. These individuals are accused of cheating and defrauding a large number of investors by promoting illegal real estate schemes and collecting large sums of money under pretenses.

The ED stated that the accused sold unauthorized land layouts, often selling the same plot of land to multiple customers. They also allegedly accepted payments without signing proper agreements and made false promises regarding the registration and delivery of plots. This fraudulent activity led to the generation of illegal proceeds, which, according to ED, were laundered and routed through various entities for personal gain.

Project ‘Green Meadows’ at the Center of Allegations

A significant portion of the investigation is centered around a real estate project named Green Meadows, which was being developed by Sai Surya Developers. Mahesh Babu had been engaged as the brand ambassador for this project. The project has reportedly failed to meet delivery deadlines, which has become a critical part of the police and ED investigations.

The promoter, Kancharla Satish Chandra Gupta, is already facing a police inquiry over the non-delivery and alleged defaults related to the Green Meadows project. The authorities believe that this project was part of a broader scheme to mislead investors and generate illicit financial gains.

Mahesh Babu Not an Accused, Says Source

Despite being summoned, ED sources have clarified that Mahesh Babu is not currently being treated as an accused in the case. The agency appears to be primarily interested in understanding the nature of his association with the companies under scrutiny and the details of the financial transactions involved in his endorsements.

Investigators are exploring whether he had any knowledge of the alleged scam while promoting the projects or if he was simply engaged in a professional capacity, unaware of the illegal activities of the developers.

As the probe continues, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. For now, Mahesh Babu’s appearance before the ED will be a key development in the investigation, shedding light on the celebrity endorsement aspect of the case.