NEW DELHI: South Indian mega film-star Chiranjeevi, who plunged into active politics with moderate success a few years ago, has run into real-life trouble with the Indian tax authorities conducting a raid at his daughter's Bangalore home and seizing loads of cash. According to the Income Tax officials, as much as $ 70 million of cash packed in 35 cartoons of $ 2 million each were seized from the bedroom of the home belonging to the actor-politician's daughter, Sushmita, in Bangalore city. The raid was conducted on Friday-Saturday last and officials confirmed on Monday that $ 70 million in Rs 500 and Rs1000 Indian currency denomination notes were found. Tax officials have handed over the money today to the Indian apex Federal Bank — the Reserve Bank of India. According to the press release issued by the Income Tax Department, the raid was conducted in connection with an investigation related to businesses connected with firms dealing in granite stone mining, alcohol and sugar. Chiranjeevi had launched his own political party in his home state Andhra Pradesh, where he enjoys a demi-god status through his acting exploits. His party won almost two-dozen seats in the state legislature but the performance hardly changed political equations where the Sonia Gandhi-led Congress which heads the Federal government is also ruling. Chiranjeevi later merged his political formation with the Sonia Gandhi-led party apparently to be on the government's side and the raid by the Income Tax Department controlled by the Congress-led government at the Center has surprised many in political and media circles.
