Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into Gokulam Gopalan, a prominent Kerala businessman and film producer, over alleged financial irregularities. ED officials questioned Gopalan in Kozhikode while simultaneously conducting raids at three of his offices, including the Gokulam Grand Corporate Office and Gokulam Mall in Kozhikode.
As per reports, the ED’s Kochi team also raided Gopalan’s financial firm in Kodambakkam, Chennai, as part of an extensive probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Searches are being carried out across five locations in multiple states, with authorities investigating an alleged ₹1,000 crore FEMA violation involving certain NRIs and unauthorized financial transactions linked to Gopalan’s company, Sree Gopalan Chit and Finance Co. Ltd.
This is not the first time ED has taken action against Gokulam Gopalan. In 2017, similar raids were conducted on several of his offices in connection with the same charges. However, ED officials have yet to issue an official statement regarding the latest enforcement action.
Meanwhile, LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan alleged that the ED’s probe is politically motivated and is part of a Sangh Parivar attack on the Malayalam film ‘Empuraan’, which Gopalan co-produced along with Aashirvad Cinemas.
The much-anticipated film, starring Mohanlal, has faced backlash from right-wing groups, accusing it of promoting an anti-Hindu ideology. In Tamil Nadu, several protests were staged against the movie over its references to the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
