Tollywood and Bollywood actor Rana Daggubati arrived at the Enforcement Directorate office in Hyderabad on Wednesday to face questioning. He was summoned by the ED in regards to the drugs and money laundering case.
Rana is fourth to be summoned this time around after director Puri Jagannadh, actress-turned-producer Charmme Kaur, actress Rakul Preet Singh. On Tuesday, the ED questioned actor Nandu about his financial dealings with Kelvin Mascarenhas, prime accused in the drugs case. He reportedly told them that he knew Kelvin as an event manager and his financial transactions were related to events only. The TFI personalities are reportedly being questioned about being allegedly present at a certain party and about their financials. The central agency began questioning Tollywood personalities in connection with the drugs racket which had rocked the film industry four years ago with the arrest of drug peddlers. The questioning is likely to bring to light new facts about the drugs racket which was busted in 2017. Tollywood director Puri Jagannadh, actors Rakul Preet Singh, Ravi Teja, Charmee Kaur, Navdeep, Mumaith Khan, and director Jagannadh have been asked to appear before ED between August 31 and September 22. Tanish, Nandu, and actor Ravi Teja’s driver Srinivas are also among those summoned.
The development has created ripples in Tollywood as two leading actors who were not questioned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Telangana Excise and Prohibition Department two years ago, have also been summoned by the ED. The ED has asked Ravi Teja to appear on September 9 while Mumaith Khan has been summoned on September 15. The drugs racket was busted on July 2, 2017 when customs officials arrested Calvin Mascarenhas, a musician, and two others and seized drugs worth Rs 30 lakh from their possession.
