Benami Documents, Rs 19 Lakh Cash Seized After Raids On BRS MLA, Brother
In a significant enforcement action, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the seizure of Rs 19 lakh in cash and a large number of property documents linked to unidentified beneficiaries, following raids on premises connected to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy and his businessman brother Gudem Madhusudan Reddy in and around Hyderabad.
The operations, conducted across ten locations on Thursday, were part of a broader investigation into alleged illegal mining and its associated money laundering activities. Central to the ED’s probe is an FIR lodged by the Telangana Police targeting the company Santhosh Sand and Granite Supply, situated in Patancheru, Hyderabad, and promoted by Gudem Madhusudan Reddy.
During the searches, the ED reported the discovery of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 19 lakh and numerous property deeds registered in the names of third parties, believed to be holding assets on behalf of the Reddy brothers—a practice commonly referred to as “benami” transactions. Furthermore, the investigative team confiscated several mobile phones found to contain crucial evidence related to undocumented financial transactions.
Additional findings included keys to bank lockers, the contents of which are anticipated to provide further insights into the case. The authorities are in the process of examining these lockers, expecting to uncover more substantial evidence.
The inquiry has unveiled that the company operated by the accused had extracted and transported material far beyond the legally authorized limits within a leased area, accruing over 11,98,743 cubic meters of stone and metal. Moreover, it is accused of encroaching upon government land, extending the illicit operations to an additional 10,11,672 cubic meters of land not sanctioned for mining, thus accruing approximately Rs 300 crore from the sale of these illegally mined resources.
The ED’s probe suggests a deliberate attempt by the firm and its affiliates to bypass official banking channels, conducting a substantial portion of their business in cash to avoid detection. The money thus accumulated is alleged to have been laundered and invested heavily in real estate, amongst other ventures, as a means to legalize the proceeds of their unlawful mining operations.
With the ongoing investigation, the ED aims to dismantle the financial network underpinning this illegal mining scheme, highlighting the broader implications of such activities on the economy and the rule of law. As this high-profile case unfolds, further updates are anticipated, shedding light on the intricate web of money laundering and illegal mining activities in the region.
