Arudhra Gold trading scam: Investigation resumes as absconding actor RK Suresh appears for inquiry

CHENNAI: One of the much talked about scams that shook the state of Tamil Nadu – the Arudhra Gold trading scam – has resurfaced as absconding actor and functionary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) RK Suresh returned to the country after seven months. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) that is investigating the case had been on a hunt for the actor for a long time now, and the EOW officials resumed the probe as soon as Suresh landed at the Chennai Airport.

Background of Arudhra Gold trading scam

A private finance company that was based out of Aminjikkarai in Chennai called ‘Arudhra Gold Trading’ collected money from over 1,09,255 people in the name of investment trading between the period of September 2020 and May 2022. The company essentially sold themselves, assuring that they would be able to provide 25% to 36% of interest to anybody who invested in their company. In fact, the company was able to attract Rs 2,438 crores from the public after it was launched. 

Days after realizing that it was a scam, the people who had invested their money started filing complaints with the police one after the other. The EOW of the Tamil Nadu Police immediately took cognizance of the matter and initiated an investigation thereof. The EOW booked 21 administrators of the company, and eventually arrested 10 of them. Furthermore, a sum of around Rs 96 crores that was found in the company’s bank account was frozen. Additionally, over 100 other assets worth crores of rupees – of those involved in the company – were also frozen by the EOW. 

During the investigation, the EOW found that the Vice President of the OBC Wing of the Tamil Nadu BJP, RK Suresh, who is also a film actor and producer in the Tamil film industry was involved in this scam. The EOW subsequently issued several summons to Suresh to appear before the wing for investigation, but the actor never appeared for any of the inquiries. He eventually fled to Dubai and went into hiding. The EOW later issued a look-out notice for the actor.

Later, the case was moved to the Madras High Court when the advocate who appeared on behalf of the actor stated that the actor had gone to Dubai for medical treatment for his wife. The Madras HC then ordered a stay on the look-out notice and stated that the actor must appear for an inquiry on December 12. The court also ordered that no arrest should be made during the meantime. 

RK Suresh's inquiry lasted for more than 7 hours

Absconding actor RK Suresh landed at the Chennai Airport back from Dubai on 10 December where he was immediately detained by the airport customs officials. During Suresh's interrogation – which lasted for over an hour – he informed the officials that he had returned to appear for the inquiry before the EOW. He was later released by the airport officials. 

On December 12, the actor appeared for an investigation at the office of the EOW in Chennai where ADSP Velmurugan conducted the inquiry that lasted for more than 7 hours. According to sources, Suresh was asked over 150 questions by the investigators. responding to which he made some shocking revelations which are crucial to the ongoing investigation. 

According to sources, “RK Suresh confessed to taking Rs 15 crores from one of the arrested accused in the case, Russo, who is also a producer. He had taken up to Rs 15 crores of money in cash and by account transactions to produce a film called ‘White Rose’ and he admitted to using the money not just for the film but also for personal reasons. Following his statements, the EOW had now instructed him to submit all records of documentations before the EOW that is related to the shooting of the movie ‘White Rose’ at the earliest”.

Meanwhile, the inquiry continued for a second day on Wednesday (Dec 13) when additional questions regarding the arrested persons and the links he had with some of them were posed to him. Suresh has also been asked to stay in the country until the EOW presents the findings before the court. A source said: “We will be submitting our reports on the finding of this case in the Madras High Court on December 18. We have all the necessary information that is extremely solid, and we will produce it before the court. We should be able to arrest RK Suresh with the permission of the honourable court very soon”.