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Enforcement Directorate Attaches ₹39 Lakh Kerala Property of Actor Jayasurya Over Save Box Probe

Updated (9 articles)

Asset Attachment Executed Under PMLA The Enforcement Directorate seized an immovable asset in Kerala valued at ₹39.01 lakh on February 18, 2026, after obtaining a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) [1]. The property, recorded as “received by” the 47‑year‑old Malayalam actor Jayasurya, is now attached pending further investigation [1]. This action marks the latest enforcement step in a money‑laundering probe that began with multiple FIRs filed by Thrissur East Police [1].

Investigation Traces Back to Save Box Scheme Jayasurya and his wife were interrogated by the ED in December 2025 regarding alleged cheating through an online bidding platform called “Save Box” [1]. The scheme is accused of defrauding participants by promising investment returns, and investigators linked it to a man identified as Swathi Rahim [1]. Four first‑information reports lodged by Thrissur East Police triggered the central agency’s involvement, expanding the probe beyond the actor’s endorsement role [1].

Financial Link Between Rahim and Jayasurya Revealed Sources indicate that Swathi Rahim transferred money to Jayasurya in exchange for the actor’s role as brand ambassador for the Save Box investment scheme [1]. The payments are alleged to be part of the laundering trail that the ED is seeking to dismantle [1]. Rahim’s central position in the fraud allegations underscores the financial nexus between the promoter and the celebrity endorsement [1].

Legal Basis and Enforcement Process Detailed The provisional PMLA order authorizes the attachment of the ₹39.01 lakh property, reflecting the ED’s statutory powers to freeze assets suspected of being laundered [1]. The agency’s action follows standard procedure: issuance of a provisional order, seizure of the asset, and continuation of the investigation to trace the flow of illicit funds [1]. The attachment does not constitute a conviction but signals escalating legal pressure on the individuals involved [1].

Sources

Timeline

May 30, 2003 – The Kadangband Swajaldhara Implementation Committee forms, later becoming a core entity in the Salai Group’s financial network that the ED later probes for money‑laundering activities[8].

Aug 10, 2008 – The committee is renamed “Smart Society,” under which it establishes Salai Financial Service (SAFFINS) with a licence under the Bombay Money Lenders Act, laying groundwork for later alleged fraud schemes[8].

2013 – Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan obtains British citizenship and continues to draw a government‑aided madrasa salary until 2017 despite residing abroad, a point later cited in the ED’s money‑laundering case against him[4].

2015 – A Karnataka‑based syndicate begins operating fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that use multi‑level marketing tactics, a scheme the ED later targets in a 2025 raid[5].

2019 – At a London press conference, self‑styled Manipur State Council leaders Yambem Biren and Narengbam Samarjit proclaim the region’s independence, an event the ED links to the later Salai Group money‑laundering investigation[8].

2020 – The Enforcement Directorate registers a PMLA case against Manav Bharti University promoters for alleged fake‑degree fraud, marking the start of a multi‑year investigation[2].

Dec 2022 – The ED files a charge‑sheet against Raj Kumar Rana and 15 others, accusing them of siphoning ₹387 crore through bogus degree sales[2][3].

Jan 2023 – A special PMLA court in Shimla takes cognizance of the Manav Bharti case, issuing summons to promoters Ashoni Kanwar and Mandeep Rana[2][3].

Nov 2023 – Open‑ended non‑bailable warrants are issued against Kanwar and Rana for failing to appear before the court, escalating the case toward fugitive‑offender status[2].

2024 – The ED publicly states that the fake‑degree operation generated proceeds of crime worth ₹387 crore, reinforcing the financial magnitude of the scheme[2].

Oct 6, 2025 – The ED provisionally attaches assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in the ongoing 1xBet illegal betting probe[6].

Dec 8, 2025 – The ED freezes ₹4.19 crore of crypto‑related proceeds and declares one accused a Fugitive Economic Offender, while the CBDT uncovers ₹888.82 crore of undisclosed virtual‑asset income across 44,057 taxpayers[9].

Dec 15, 2025 – The ED provisionally attaches movable and immovable assets worth ₹5.41 crore in the “Donkey Route” human‑trafficking money‑laundering case, targeting properties and bank accounts linked to the syndicate[7].

Dec 18, 2025 – The ED raids 21 residential and office premises across Karnataka, Maharashtra and Delhi, seizing evidence in the Karnataka cryptocurrency fraud case that has operated since 2015[5].

Dec 19, 2025 – The ED attaches assets valued at ₹7.93 crore belonging to celebrities Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood, Neha Sharma and Mimi Chakraborty, linking their endorsements to the offshore betting platform 1xBet[6].

Dec 19, 2025 – The ED seizes ₹4.68 crore in cash, gold bars worth ₹8.07 crore and silver bars worth ₹6.42 crore at 13 locations in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, further dismantling the Donkey Route money‑laundering network[7].

Dec 26, 2025 – The ED registers a money‑laundering case against Maulana Shamsul Huda Khan, alleging he funneled crores through Indian bank accounts and acquired over ₹30 crore in immovable property while residing in the UK[4].

Jan 3, 2026 – A Shimla special PMLA court declares university promoters Mandeep Rana and Ashoni Kanwar fugitive economic offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, enabling asset confiscation for the ₹387 crore fake‑degree scam[2][3].

Feb 18, 2026 – The ED attaches a ₹39.01 lakh Kerala property of Malayalam actor Jayasurya after he and his wife are questioned in Dec 2025 over the “Save Box” online bidding scheme, where they allegedly received payments for brand‑ambassador endorsements[1].

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