'Liger' funding probe: Over 160 bank accounts under scanner for suspicious transactions

Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate is probing into 160 bank accounts that have allegedly received 'funds' for the multilingual movie 'Liger'.

A source told NewsMeter that around Rs 30-40 crore received by Hyderabad-based Puri Connects LLP represented by directors Surdeepkaur Deepsingh Uppal and Petla Jagannadh, were deposited by a prominent politician from Telangana. "The politician reportedly funded the movie through benamis,", he said.

The federal agency has unearthed a link between Liger producers and a Telangana leader. Puri Connects LLP is a Liability Partnership incorporated in 2016. Having its head office in Jubilee Hills, it was founded by Petla Jagannadh and Surdeepkaru Deepsingh.

On November 30, famous Tollywood actor Vijay Devarakonda was questioned by Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad about his remuneration. Devarakonda-starrer `Liger' tanked at the box office.

"There are no allegations against me. The officials sought some clarifications. I have answered all questions. This is life and every step is an experience. I have done my duty by presenting myself before the ED. I have not been called again," he said. Nearly three months after the release of Liger, Its director, and co-producer Puri Jagannadh and actress-turned-co-producer Charmi Kaur were summoned by the ED for questioning.

The federal agency launched a probe under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) following a complaint filed by Bakka Judson. Congress leader Judson alleged Liger's investments came from 'dubious sources. He alleged that many politicians invested money as `ghost producers'. "This was the easiest way of converting black money into white and evading tax, " Judson said in his complaint.

The movie, which was released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, cost the producers a whopping Rs 125 crore. It even failed to retrieve its investment, leave alone profits.

Earlier, ED questioned Puri Jagannadh and actress-turned-co-producer Charmi Kaur on investments from foreign countries allegedly in violation of FEMA. Pertinently the movie had a cameo of former US professional boxer Mike Tyson. A technical crew shot the movie in Las Vegas. ED is also probing into the money paid to Mike Tyson.

Though Vijay Deverakonda was questioned about his remuneration, it is believed that the actor did not receive huge money as reported by the media.