Based on a First Information Report (FIR) submitted by the Cyberabad police in Hyderabad, Telangana, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opened an investigation against 29 celebrities in relation to a purported betting application fraud.
Prominent actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Manchu Lakshmi, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, and television host Srimukhi are among those named in the case. The ED is presently looking into the digital trail and financial activities connected to the mentioned people. Investigations are still in progress.
25 people, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, and Nidhi Agarwal, were charged by the Miyapur Police in Cyberabad on March 19 for allegedly endorsing betting applications.
What FIR States?
Sections 318(4) and 112, read with Section 49 of the Bharat Nyay Sanhita, Section 4 of the Telangana State Gaming Act (TSGA), and Section 66-D of the Information Technology Act, were the charges against the actors and media influencers, according to the First Information Report (FIR) that a media group sought.
These clauses address internet deception, unlawful gambling marketing, and fraudulent activities. According to the FIR, Nidhi Agarwal with Jeet Win, Vijay Deverakonda with A23, Manchu Lakshmi with Yolo 247, Praneetha with Fairplay, and Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj were linked to the promotion of Junglee Rummy.
According to the accusations, the influencers and actresses used internet pop-up ads to promote these betting sites, possibly inciting people to gamble illegally.
Responses from Celebs
In a post on X, Prakash Raj clarified his stance by stating that he had supported a gaming app in 2016 but had pulled out in 2017 after determining it was improper.
He claimed that since then, he has not advertised any gaming apps and that he would react if the cops came up to him.
Rana Daggubati, meanwhile, claimed that his support for a skill-based gaming platform expired in 2017 and was limited to areas that were legally allowed. Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling that separates skill-based games from gambling, his legal team made sure that everything was in line.
ED Tightening Screws on Gaming Apps
In relation to the marketing of prohibited betting sites like 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365, the ED previously questioned actors Sonu Sood and Urvashi Rautela, as well as former cricket players Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Suresh Raina, last month.
A money laundering scheme connected to illicit gaming and betting applications through Kirana outlets was also discovered by the federal government last year.
According to reports, the owners of the Kirana stores thought they operated under the RBI’s domestic money transfer (DMT) program and were ignorant of their involvement in unlawful gaming.
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