Betting app case | ED summons Rana Daggubati to look on July 23, Prakash Raj on July 30

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned a number of movie and tv personalities in reference to its investigation into alleged promotion of unlawful on-line betting platforms. Sources from ED confirmed that actor Rana Daggubati has been directed to look on July 23, adopted by Prakash Raj on July 30, Vijay Deverakonda on August 6, and Manchu Lakshmi on August 13.

The summons have been issued after the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) earlier this month underneath the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), naming 29 people, together with actors, TV personalities, YouTubers, and influencers. The probe follows 5 FIRs lodged in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam for suspected violations of the Public Gambling Act, 1867.

The ED suspects that celebrities promoted betting platforms similar to Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365, which allegedly routed massive sums of cash.

The listing of these named within the ECIR contains actors Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, and tv and media pesonalities similar to Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty amongst others.

The ED believes that a number of the endorsements appeared within the type of leisure or charitable content material however have been the truth is focused promotions for unregulated playing. One complainant alleged a lack of over ₹3 crore after responding to a YouTube endorsement.

Several of these named within the ECIR have denied any involvement, claiming they terminated their contracts after studying in regards to the platforms’ authorized ambiguities. The ED, nevertheless, is analyzing whether or not these campaigns have been a part of a coordinated push to draw customers to unauthorised betting websites. More summons are anticipated within the coming days because the investigation continues.