Raid in Gokulam not linked with Empuraan, vital documents obtained, says ED

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has clarified that the raid conducted yesterday at the premises of the Sree Gokulam Group is not related to the film Empuraan. The report is that Gokulam violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Some vital documents and money were seized in yesterday's raid. The ED had questioned chairman Gokulam Gopalan along with MD Baiju yesterday. There were allegations that the raid was politically motivated following the controversy related to the film Empuraan, in which Gokulam Gopalan is a production and distribution partner.

It is hinted that the ED is mainly investigating the Rs 1,107 crore received from abroad in the form of investments and other things in the past five years. ED sources clarified that the raid is part of the investigation that began in 2019, in continuation of the proceedings initiated by the Income Tax Department in 2017. The source of this money is also being examined. The Income Tax Department had searched the Sree Gokulam Group of Companies in 2017. The ED started the investigation based on the report submitted by the income tax department. In 2023, Gokulam Gopalan was brought to the ED Kochi office and his statement was recorded.

The Kochi and Kozhikode units were also in the raid led by the ED's Chennai unit. After the raid, the ED summoned Chairman Gokulam Gopalan to Chennai and questioned him. He flew to Chennai with ED officials. The interrogation began at 8:30 pm at the corporate office in Kodambakkam.