Tollywood drug case: Actor Rana Daggubati seems earlier than ED
Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati on Wednesday appeared earlier than the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in reference to a cash laundering probe linked to a 2017 drug case. The ‘Baahubali’ fame actor reached the ED workplace right here round 10 a.m. and walked in as a posse of safety personnel escorted him by a battery of media lensmen vying with one another to seize the second.
Rana is prone to be questioned by ED sleuths about his financial institution particulars and monetary transactions as a part of the probe into suspected hyperlinks of some celebrities with the accused concerned within the case.
Rana is the fifth Tollywood persona to seem earlier than ED. Director Puri Jagannadh and actors Charmee Kaur, Rakul Preet Singh and Nandu have been questioned since August 31.
The ED had final month issued notices to 10 individuals related to Tollywood and two others together with a non-public membership supervisor as a part of a cash laundering probe linked to the case associated to the smuggling of ‘Class A’ narcotic substances, together with LSD and MDMA.
Nandu was questioned for greater than eight hours on Tuesday. Fundamental accused within the case Calvin Mascarenhas and two others have been additionally grilled by the ED sleuths on Tuesday.
Actors Ravi Teja, Navdeep. Mumaith Khan, Tanish and Ravi Teja’s driver Srinivas have additionally been summoned by the ED in connection the medication racket which was busted with the arrest of drug peddlers in 2017.
Rana and Rakul Preet didn’t determine within the checklist of Tollywood celebrities questioned by the Particular Investigation Group (SIT) of Telangana’s prohibition and excise division in 2017.
Nevertheless, Rakul Preet was questioned by the Narcotics Management Bureau, Mumbai, final 12 months in an alleged medication nexus in Bollywood.
The medication racket was busted on July 2, 2017 when customs officers arrested Calvin Mascarenhas, a musician, and two others and seized medication price Rs 30 lakh from their possession. That they had reportedly informed the investigators that they’re supplying medication to movie celebrities, software program engineers, and even college students of some company faculties. Cell numbers of some Tollywood celebrities have been allegedly discovered of their contact lists.
The excise division had constituted SIT for a complete probe. A complete of 12 circumstances have been registered, 30 individuals have been arrested whereas 62 people together with 11 individuals related with Tollywood have been examined by the SIT beneath part 67 of the Narcotic Medicine and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and part 161 of Legal Process Code.
Additionally learn: Akshay Kumar’s mother Aruna Bhatia passes away, actor pens emotional note
The SIT had collected blood, hair, nail and different samples from a few of those that appeared earlier than it for query and despatched them for evaluation. The SIT filed cost sheet in eight out of 12 circumstances. It, nonetheless, gave clear chit to the movie personalities who have been questioned as a part of the investigation.
