Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad on Wednesday, as he was summoned for questioning in connection with a case involving the promotion of online betting apps.
Prakash Raj, known for his roles in films like ‘Wanted’ and ‘Singham’, reached the ED office in Basheerbagh. He paused briefly for photographers before entering the building.
The case dates back to March this year, when Telangana police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 public figures. These include actors and influencers such as Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, and Prakash Raj. They are accused of promoting illegal gambling and betting apps on their social media handles.
The complaint was filed by a 32-year-old businessman, PM Phanindra Sarma, at Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad. Sarma said he had spoken with young people in his community who admitted they were drawn to invest in gambling apps after seeing celebrities promote them online.
Sarma explained that he himself was almost tempted to invest in one of these apps but changed his mind after a discussion with his family. He realized how risky these platforms could be and decided to file a complaint.
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According to the FIR, the celebrities allegedly accepted large payments to advertise betting platforms. These apps are said to promise quick money but often result in people losing their savings.
The complaint says this is especially harmful to lower and middle-income families, who are more vulnerable to such false promises.
The celebrities named in the FIR include not just actors but also social media influencers. Names like Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, and Varshini Sounderajan have also been mentioned.
Telangana police have booked the accused under various sections of the TS Gaming Act and the Information Technology Act. These include Section 66(D) of the IT Act, which deals with cheating and identity fraud. The case is being led by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.
Speaking about the matter, Inspector K Kranthi Kumar of Miyapur Police said, “This investigation shows our strong stand against online betting platforms that mislead and exploit the public, especially youth and families.”
The investigation is ongoing. Prakash Raj has not made any public comment about the case so far.