Tue Apr 22 02:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Tollywood Star Mahesh Babu Summoned by ED in Rs 3.4 Crore Ad Deal Probe

**Hyderabad, April 22, 2025** – Telugu film star Mahesh Babu has been issued a notice by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Rs 3.4 crore advertising deal linked to the Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers. The ED has asked Babu to appear for questioning on April 27th.

The summons follow recent ED raids on both Surana Group and Sai Surya Developers. The investigation alleges that Babu received a total of Rs 5.9 crore from the two companies for promotional activities; Rs 3.4 crore in cash and Rs 2.5 crore through RTGS. The ED’s investigation is linked to a larger probe into alleged financial irregularities involving the Surana Group, which has been accused of defaulting on loans worth Rs 3,986 crore to three public sector banks. The CBI has already registered three cases against the group for loan defaults. Sai Surya Developers is believed to be an associate of the Surana Group.

The ED’s investigation into Sai Surya Developers stems from a case filed by the Cyberabad police after complaints of financial fraud by the company’s MD, Satish Chandragupta, who was arrested earlier this month. The ED’s raids yielded substantial cash seizures from the residences and offices of both groups, along with incriminating documents. The agency suspects the Surana Group of using shell companies to facilitate illicit transactions. Previous ED raids on the Surana Group resulted in the seizure of gold and cash worth Rs 11.62 crore. The ED has also filed a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case against the group. In 2022, the ED arrested several individuals associated with the Surana Group including its MD, Dinesh Chand Surana, and Vijay Raj Surana on charges of fraud and money laundering.

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