ED searches Gokulam group premises in Koz, Chennai

Kochi/Chennai: Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches on the premises of the Gokulam group owned by Gokulam Gopalan, one of the producers of the Mohanlal-starrer 'L2: Empuraan', in Kozhikode and Chennai. The searches were part of an ongoing investigation of the group under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), sources said.

In Kerala, the group's office and Gokulam Grand Hotel in Kozhikode were searched. Gopalan was reportedly present at the group's office when ED officers arrived. In Chennai, the headquarters of Sree Gokulam Chit and Finance in Trustpuram, Kodambakkam as well as Gopalan's residence in Neelankarai were searched.

The searches, led by the Kochi ED unit, in Kozhikode began around 11.30 am and continued until 3.30 pm. CRPF personnel were also deployed for them. The officers visited Gopalan's house in Kodambakkam, Chennai, which is being renovated, before rushing to Kapaliswarar Nagar in Neelankarai, where he is reportedly staying now. The searches in Chennai went on until late at night and are expected to continue on Saturday.

Sources said the group was under ED scrutiny since 2023, and Gopalan's statements were collected on many occasions earlier. The ED investigation followed an income-tax department probe into charges of unaccounted money invested in its chit fund business. The group has a diverse portfolio spanning chit funds, finance, film production, sports, media and hospitality.

Sources said the searches had no connection with the row over 'Empuraan', released last week. Its makers had re-edited the movie after release as it invited harsh criticism from right-wing groups for references to the 2002 Gujarat riots and political critique. As many as 24 modifications were made to the movie.