Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, And Others Named In ED Probe On Betting App Promotions

ED Names 29 Public Figures in Betting App Case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case naming 29 public figures, including film actors and digital influencers, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting platforms. Among those named in the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) are actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Manchu Lakshmi, and Pranitha Subhash, according to reports from The Times of India and News18.

The ED's move follows an FIR filed by Cyberabad Police in Telangana. The FIR was reportedly based on a complaint by businessman Phanindra Sarma, who alleged that the endorsement of betting applications by public figures led to unsuspecting users losing substantial amounts of money. The complainant specifically accused the celebrities of promoting these platforms in exchange for high-value payments, which he claimed encouraged financially vulnerable individuals to participate in betting schemes, often resulting in personal financial losses.

As per reports, the list of accused also includes TV presenters and digital influencers such as Harsha Sai and the creators of the YouTube channel 'Local Boi Nani.' The ED is investigating whether significant sums of money were laundered through the promotional campaigns tied to these apps.

Celebrities Respond To Allegations

Some of the celebrities mentioned in the ED report have issued statements addressing the allegations. Actor Prakash Raj confirmed that he had endorsed Junglee Rummy back in 2016 but stated that he chose to terminate the agreement within a year due to personal ethical concerns. He clarified that although the endorsement may have been legally acceptable, he felt uncomfortable continuing it and has since refrained from promoting any gambling-related platforms.

According to The Times of India, Vijay Deverakonda, who was associated with the platform A23, defended his involvement, clarifying that the site supports skill-based games such as rummy. His representatives cited the Supreme Court's recognition of rummy as a game of skill rather than chance.

Similarly, actor Rana Daggubati reportedly stated through his legal counsel that his association with a skill-based gaming platform ended in 2017 and had been legally vetted. "All my endorsements were in regions where such games were permitted," his legal team said, according to the report.

The police case has been filed under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act, and relevant laws dealing with cybercrime and financial fraud.

As the investigation continues, more responses from the named individuals are anticipated. Further updates are expected from the ED regarding the scope of the alleged financial irregularities and possible legal proceedings that may follow.