Malayalam actor Mohanlal has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case. The actor has been asked to appear before the Kochi office next week where the officers are expected to interrogate him in connection with the probe related to an antique dealer and fraudster Monson Mavunkal.
According to an ETimes report, the actor has been summoned in connection with one more case, details of which are yet to be disclosed. As per sources close to the portal, he has been summoned based on the information that he had visited the museum run by Mavunkal. Reportedly, ED has also approached the state police for recording statements from IG G Lakshmanan, who had maintained a close relationship with Monson.
On September 25, the crime branch had initially arrested Monson for allegedly duping multiple people of nearly Rs 10 crore. As per the reports, he had decorated his mansion like a museum and had kept several ‘antiques’ on display, which were apparently fake. The CB has registered multiple cases against him. Mohanlal had reportedly paid a visit to Monsoon’s Kerela residence once, but the reason for the visit is still unknown.
He had been detained for defrauding multiple people by pretending to have centuries-old antiques and for presenting forged documentation.
According to the crime branch, Mavunkal used to take visitors to his home, a portion of which has been converted into a museum which holds ‘valuable antiques’, which he claimed included a Tipu Sultan throne, the first edition of Holy Bible, books used by Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji, the last Mughal emperor Aurangazeb, and others.
The report submitted in the Ernakulam Court by the crime branch stated, “He deceived the complainants by convincing them that Rs 2.62 crore was credited to his bank account by selling antiquities and he needs Rs 10 crores to withdraw it. He assured them that if they give him money, he will give interest-free loans to them for starting a business.”
“Several holy books and documents such as a version of the great epic Mahabharata written in palm leaves, and the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and Pablo Picasso are some of the items claimed to be in his possession,” stated the report. Investigation revealed that these ‘antiques’ were made by a carpenter based in Cherthala in the Alappuzha district,” it further read.
Currently, ED Kochi unit is investigating a case registered against Monson under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
