Will Rana Daggubati Appear Before the ED Regarding Illegal Betting Apps?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rana Daggubati seeks a new date to appear before the ED.
- The case involves allegations of promoting illegal betting apps.
- Several other celebrities are also under investigation.
- The ED has filed an ECIR against multiple influencers.
- Legal implications could arise for those found guilty.
Hyderabad, July 23 (NationPress) Actor Rana Daggubati has requested a new date to meet with the Enforcement Directorate concerning allegations tied to the promotion of illegal betting applications.
The renowned Tollywood star received a notification to attend on Wednesday (July 23), yet he informed the central agency that he was unable to do so due to commitments with a film project.
Sources indicate that the actor is engaged in filming in Tamil Nadu.
The agency is expected to send a revised summons to the actor for a new date for his appearance.
The ED has summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi in connection with this case.
Prakash Raj is scheduled to appear on July 30, while Vijay Deverakonda has been asked to show up on August 6, and Manchu Lakshmi on August 13.
These four actors are part of a list of 29 celebrities who were charged by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting applications.
The central agency has filed an ECIR against these 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for purportedly promoting illegal betting platforms, infringing upon the Public Gambling Act, 1867.
The investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, stems from five FIRs lodged in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Among those implicated are film actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, Manchu Lakshmi, and Ananya Nagella.
Furthermore, the list includes TV actors, hosts, and social media influencers such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Harsha Sai, and Bayya Sunny Yadav.
Many of these celebrities had previously faced legal issues with Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police. FIRs were filed against them at various police stations including Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam.
The ED suspects that endorsements of platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others are linked to large-scale money laundering through paid promotions.
When some actors were previously charged by the Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police, they denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they had terminated contracts due to ethical concerns.
Earlier this year in March, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and others were booked by Cyberabad Police for allegedly promoting betting apps, though they clarified they do not endorse any illegal platforms.
Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda maintained that they only endorsed legally sanctioned online skill-based games, while Prakash Raj explained that he did not renew a contract to promote an app in 2017 after recognizing it was inappropriate.