I-T searches Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's residence

KOCHI: After a four-day gap, Income Tax officials today continued searches at Malayalam superstar Mohanlal's residence here.

The officials began the search in the presence of the actor who returned from Chennai this morning, I-T sources said.

I-T authorities had on July 22 conducted simultaneous searches at 20 business establishments and residences of Mohanlal and co- superstar Mammootty in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka following information that they had assets disproportionate to their known sources of income.

A detailed statement of Mammootty was recorded after he came to Kochi on the same day. The I-T officials had seized about Rs 15 lakh from his residence in Chennai.

Since Mohanlal was busy with the shooting of Malayalam film 'Pranayam' at Rameswaram, the I-T authorities had asked him to come to Kochi today for recording his statement and to open two rooms sealed by them in his waterfront residence at nearby Thevara. The rooms said to be equipped with biometric locks could not be opened by the officials on July 22.

Documents found in the residences of the two actors, drawing the highest remuneration in the Malayalam film industry, were being examined, top I-T sources said.

The raids were conducted at Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Bangalore and Udhagamandalam (Ooty).