Sources said the department noticed irregularities in the purchase of film production equipment and taxes to be paid on them.
Published Apr 19, 2023 | 7:14 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 19, 2023 | 7:14 PM
Sukumar with Allu Arjun on the sets of 'Pushpa'. (Facebook)
Sleuths of the Income-Tax (I-T) Department on Wednesday, 19 April, carried out raids at the house of Sukumar, the director of the blockbuster Pushpa, and Mythri Movie Makers in Hyderabad in connection with alleged irregularities in filing I-T returns.
Accompanied by the personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), separate teams of I-T officials raided Sukumar’s house and also targeted the offices of Yerneni Naveen and Yalamanchali Ravi Kumar, the founders of Mythri Movie Makers, in Jubilee Hills.
According to sources, the I-T Department noticed irregularities in the purchase of film production equipment and taxes to be paid on them. After coming to know about the irregularities, the I-T sleuths carried out the raids that continued till evening.
At Sukumar’s residence in Hyderabad, the private security guards did not allow media persons inside the premises, stating that entry to the gated community for outsiders was not allowed. A heated argument took place between the security guards and media persons.
The police immediately intervened and pacified the two warring groups.
After directing the blockbuster movie Pushpa: The Rise which won fame across the globe because of its songs and powerful dialogues of actor Allu Arjun, Sukumar is now directing its sequel, Pushpa 2: The Rule, which is expected to be released by the end of this year.
As and when it comes to know of any information related to tax evasion and irregularities in filing I-T returns, the department is leaving no stone unturned in conducting raids to check the balance sheets and other documents.
There was no immediate reaction from either Sukumar or Mythri Movie Makers or its founders about the I-T Department raids.
