The Enforcement Directorate (ED), investigating the money laundering allegations against the producers of the Malayalam film Manjummel Boys, recently questioned actor Soubin Shahir. Soubin was one of the co-producers of the film.
ED probes used car dealers in Manjummel Boys money laundering case. The inspection is being conducted at a business in which Soubin has a partnership. ED officials questioned the owner of the business, Mujeeb Rehman. The inspection began at 11 am the previous day. The inspection is being conducted at offices in Malappuram, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. In the complaint filed by Sirajin, a resident of Arur, the complainant alleged that the money was channelled to this establishment.
The ED has sought legal advice to freeze the bank accounts of the producers and distributors of the film Manjummal Boys on allegations that the ticket proceeds are exaggerated to launder money.
The ED is now gearing up to collect financial information including production costs of all Vijaya films produced in Kerala in the last five years. Investigators said that two filmmakers gave information to the ED about alleged black money transactions in Kerala’s theatre sector, which led to further investigation.
Soubin, Shawn and Babu, who own Parava Films, produced the film Manjummel Boys, which reportedly grossed over Rs 250 crore at the box office.
The ED started investigating the money laundering aspect based on a complaint registered at Maradu police station against Soubin, Shawn and Babu. A district court in Kochi had directed the police to register a case against the trio after a complaint was filed by Siraj Valiyathura, a native of Aroor, who was promised a 40 per cent share in the profits of Manjummel Boys. Siraj had invested around Rs 7 crore in the film. However, he did not receive the profit share offered. Last month, the Kerala High Court stayed proceedings in the police case till June 17.
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