ED to question BRS MLA Mahipal Reddy today
By : Mouli Mareedu
Update: 2024-07-04 16:51 GMT
Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to question Patancheru BRS MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy and his family members under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for alleged illegal mining activities. The ED recently seized 1.2 kg of gold biscuits worth around ₹90 lakh from Reddy's lockers and will now focus on the legislator's alleged illegal business activities.
The investigation targets benami financial transactions involving Mahipal Reddy and his brother Madhusudhan Reddy. Notices have been served to Mahipal Reddy, asking him to appear for questioning.
The ED has found that the accused illegally excavated 11,98,743 cubic metres of building stone and road metal within the permitted quarry lease area, and 10,11,672 cubic metres beyond it. This violation reportedly netted them around ₹300 crore, while they evaded payment of ₹39.08 crore in royalties to the government.
Meanwhile, the ED officials also seized material including a large number of property documents in the names of unrelated persons who are suspected to be benamis of the accused persons. After questioning MLA Mahipal Reddy and his family members, the agency would serve notices to the benamis.
The agency officials collected income-tax returns (ITRs) of Mahipal Reddy, Madhusudhan Reddy and their firms to establish the source of income, and assets including the gold ornaments.