The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at six locations in Chennai and Madurai in connection with an alleged property fraud case based on a complaint filed by actress and former AIADMK deputy propaganda secretary Gautami. The agency is examining financial records, banking documents, property papers, electronic devices and related material to trace money flows and suspected irregularities linked to the disputed assets.
The case originated from a complaint filed by Gautami in 2023, in which she alleged that certain individuals had fraudulently gained control of her immovable properties and deprived her of the ability to manage and exercise ownership rights over them. The complaint later led to multiple criminal cases and a detailed police investigation.
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Property Transfers Under Scrutiny
According to the allegations in the complaint, Gautami had decided to dispose of certain properties in the Sriperumbudur region in the early 2000s. She stated that during that period she was dealing with personal difficulties, including caring for her young daughter and undergoing treatment for cancer.
The complaint alleged that the accused exploited these circumstances and misused the trust placed in them to gain control over valuable assets through fraudulent means. Investigators are now reviewing property records, transaction histories and related agreements to determine the sequence of events that led to the disputed ownership claims.
The complaint had named Alagappan and several members of his family, accusing them of playing a role in the alleged transfer and control of the properties. Officials are also examining whether any intermediary entities or financial arrangements were used to facilitate the alleged transactions.
Financial Trail Under ED Scanner
Officials familiar with the investigation said the ED’s inquiry is focused on whether the disputed property transactions involved financial irregularities that could attract provisions related to money laundering or concealment of proceeds generated through unlawful activities.
The agency is tracing the flow of funds connected to the transactions and identifying individuals who may have benefited from the alleged fraud. Bank accounts, investment records, asset declarations and digital communications are expected to be examined as part of the financial scrutiny.
The investigation is also looking beyond the immediate property dispute to determine whether the alleged fraud involved a broader network of transactions. Enforcement officials are attempting to reconstruct the complete financial picture through seized documents and electronic evidence.
Earlier Arrests, Further Examination
Before the ED’s intervention, police had taken action in the case. During the criminal investigation, Alagappan was arrested, and four other individuals, including his wife, were also taken into custody.
The arrests brought the matter into public attention and raised questions about how the alleged property transfers were carried out. With the financial probe now underway, investigators are assessing whether the alleged transfers involved unlawful gains, hidden transactions or attempts to disguise ownership.
Officials indicated that the analysis of documents and electronic evidence seized during the searches is continuing. The findings are expected to guide the next phase of the investigation, including possible questioning of additional individuals and further scrutiny of financial transactions linked to the disputed properties.
