ED Cracks Down on Producer Gokulam Gopalan in ₹1,000 Crore FEMA Case
Producer Gokulam Gopalan has landed in the eye of a storm after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched multi-state raids connected to alleged foreign exchange violations exceeding ₹1,000 crore. The raids were carried out across Tamil Nadu and Kerala by ED’s Kerala wing and are linked to Gopalan’s firm, Sree Gokulam Chit and Finance Co Ltd.
Sources within the ED confirmed that the action is part of an ongoing probe under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Officials stated that the investigation pertains to possible unauthorised transactions involving Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and violations across various provisions under FEMA. Additionally, the ED is also checking links to potential money laundering charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The operations reportedly covered five major locations, including the company’s corporate office in Chennai’s Kodambakkam and Gopalan’s farmhouse in Neelankarai. The raids began early Friday morning with nearly a dozen officials stationed at each premise, verifying documents and digital records.
Producer Gokulam Gopalan’s Offices and Farmhouse Raided
This probe has drawn significant public attention as it closely follows the release of L2: Empuraan, the big-budget sequel to Lucifer, featuring Mohanlal and co-produced by Gopalan. The film attracted controversy shortly after its March 27 release for including sequences based on the 2002 Gujarat riots, prompting accusations from right-wing outfits that it portrayed Hindus in a negative light.
While the film was initially co-produced by Antony Perumbavoor and Lyca Productions, Gokulam Gopalan stepped in as a key producer later, allegedly to rescue the project from financial hurdles. The backlash over the riot scenes led the team to voluntarily cut over two minutes of footage and mute specific dialogues after objections were raised.
Though Gopalan distanced himself from the film’s creative choices, reiterating that politics was never his intent, the combination of Empuraan’s content and the ED action has made headlines across southern India.
Controversial Empuraan Film Adds Pressure on Producer Gokulam Gopalan
Despite his current troubles, Gokulam Gopalan is a well-known figure in Kerala and Tamil Nadu with a diverse portfolio. From finance to hospitality, education, cinema, logistics, and healthcare, his business empire the Sree Gokulam Group has a strong presence in multiple sectors, especially through its flagship chit fund service that caters to customers across India and abroad.
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Meanwhile, ED officials have not issued an official statement about the raid outcomes so far. However, insiders suggest the investigation is likely to expand, especially with parallel complaints involving forgery and alleged financial fraud.
Gokulam Gopalan’s Empire Under the ED Lens
The political shadow surrounding the film has added fuel to the issue. While Mohanlal issued a public apology and removed the disputed scenes, the producers have tried to project unity amid the mounting criticism. The controversy has only grown with Gopalan’s name now associated with serious financial charges, with many observers wondering if the film’s timing and content triggered deeper scrutiny.
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The Enforcement Directorate is expected to continue its investigation in the coming weeks. Gokulam Gopalan, on the other hand, has remained unreachable for comment since the raids began. The developments raise concerns not only about the future of the film but also about the implications for his large-scale financial operations and potential legal consequences.
Conclusion:
The ED’s crackdown on producer Gokulam Gopalan over alleged FEMA violations has intensified the spotlight on his recent film and business empire. With investigations underway and controversy still simmering from Empuraan, Gopalan faces one of the most challenging moments of his career.
