Eighty Income tax officials raided the properties of two Malayalam superstars and Padma Shri award winners, Mammootty and Mohanlal.

The massive search began at 6 am, with officials simultaneously searching the business ventures and homes of the superstars in Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi and is expected to continue till Saturday.

The raids were also carried at Mohanlal’s state capital’s Vismaya Max studio at Vellayambalam and Techno Park. M P Sanal Kumar, Mohanlal’s CA was also raided to trace any hidden assed or investment of Mohanlal.

The raids were carried in a secretive manner and even police were not intimated about the raid. Poojappura police in Thiruvananthapuram told Express that they came to Mohanlal’s residence only after hearing about the news.

Elephant tusks were found in Mohanlal’s residence in Thevera in Kochi. Whether Mohanlal owned a certificate of ownership issued from the Forests Department or not is not known. If Mohanlal does not possess the certificate he will be prosecuted by both It department and Forest department as well.

The searches were conducted as per Section 132 of the Income-Tax Act (relating to search and seizure).

Both of the actors were not in the state at the time of raid, they have been notified to report before Income Tax office.