No acting, its taxing time for superstars

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Income Tax officials on Friday conducted simultaneous raids on the residences and offices of film stars Mammootty and Mohanlal following information that they had wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income.The raids were carried out across four southern cities of Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai and Bangalore. The Income Tax sleuths raided Mohanlal’s house at Mudavanmukal here, where his mother resides.His residence in Kochi along with that of Mammootty, and their offices in Kochi, Chennai and Bangalore were also searched.The operations that started at 6.30 am lasted till 3.30 pm. The Income Tax officials from Chennai along with those from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram participated in the searches.Director- General of Income Tax ( Investigation) supervised the raid from Chennai. It is learnt that only antiques and land documents were found at Mohanlal’s residence in the capital.However, no official was ready to divulge the details.The raids were conducted after ensuring that the news was not leaked out even to the police. Sources in the Income Tax department said there had been no intimation about the raid planned at a higher level.Poojappura police told Express that they came to the residence only after hearing about the news. But mediapersons could see policemen standing along with Income Tax officials inside Mohanlal’s house.Asked whether the Forest Department could initiate action against Mohanlal following the seizure of tusks from his residence at Thevara in Kochi, Chief Conservator of Forests ( Admin) R Rajaraja Varma said if he had the ownership certificate issued from the Forests Department, the tusks could be kept at his house. Otherwise, action could be taken against him, he said.Raids were also carried out at Vismayas Max studio at Vellayambalam and Technopark, owned by Mohanlal in the state capital.The raids were also carried out on the office and residence of Mohanlal’s chartered accountant M P Sanal Kumar here.Additional Director-General of Income Tax Investigation R Mohan told Express that as both the actors were not in the state at the time of the raids, they have been asked to report before the Income Tax office.The searches were conducted as per section 132 of the Income-Tax Act (relating to search and seizure).Mammootty reached Kochi in the evening from Chennai, but Mohanlal is yet to arrive as he is in Madurai shooting for Blessy’s Pranayam.