Did Prakash Raj Appear Before ED in Betting App Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate regarding illegal betting apps.
- The investigation includes a total of 29 celebrities.
- Many actors have stated they ceased contracts over ethical concerns.
- The ED is probing violations of the Public Gambling Act.
- Platforms under scrutiny include Junglee Rummy and A23.
Hyderabad, July 30 (NationPress) Actor Prakash Raj made an appearance before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday as part of the investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal betting applications.
He arrived at the ED's regional office in Basheerbagh around 10 a.m.
After being booked by the Cyberabad Police alongside other actors in March, Prakash Raj stated that he had ceased his contract to promote an app in 2017 after realizing it was a misstep.
The ED has recently summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi in connection to the case.
Rana Daggubati was initially instructed to appear on July 23 but requested a different date.
Vijay Deverakonda has been asked to show up on August 6, while Manchu Lakshmi is scheduled for August 13.
These four actors are part of a larger group of 29 celebrities implicated by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting platforms.
The agency has filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against these actors, social media influencers, and YouTubers for promoting illegal betting sites, breaching the Public Gambling Act of 1867.
This investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, stems from five FIRs lodged in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Notable film actors such as Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Ananya Nagella are among those named in the ED's report.
The list also includes television actors, hosts, and social media influencers like Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, and many others.
These celebrities were previously booked by the Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police, with FIRs filed across multiple police stations.
The ED suspects that endorsements for platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365 have facilitated significant money laundering through paid promotions.
Following their bookings, several actors denied any wrongdoing, asserting that they had terminated contracts due to ethical concerns.