Kochi: Actor Dileep and relatives sit over real estate assets worth Rs 600 crore, as per initial estimates by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Under the ED lens are also financial transactions of all Malayalam movies produced over the past five years. ED officials had been tracing a trail of black money and hawala channels, some with middle-east links.
Dileep's business interests came under the spotlight after he was arrested last week for plotting the February 17 attack on an actress. Dileep is accused of offering Rs 1.5 crore to a gang of goons for torturing his former colleague and videotaping her suffering.
The central agency had come across a crucial piece of evidence. A huge sum of money was transferred to a woman who worked in the cinema industry from an account believed to be held for Dileep.
The transaction happened in early March. The agency had collected evidence of benami investments of several people in the multiplex Dileep opened in Chalakudy three years ago. The actor also received funds from abroad for his real estate business.
Dileep's stage shows abroad are also under investigation. The ED was keeping a watch on shooting locations to spot any trail of black money. Agencies have found that the movie business had become a convenient way for money laundering.
Main accused Sunil Kumar, aka Pulsar Suni, is also suspected to be a hawala carrier disguised as a driver.
The police probing the sexual assault case have kept a separate file for evidence related to Dileep's business deals. The actor may be questioned by the economic affairs wing of the crime branch once the police team is done with the investigation.
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