Rana Daggubati, actor famous for his roles in movies like ‘Baahubali’ and ‘Vettaiyan’, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday, as he was summoned in connection with an investigation into the promotion of illegal online betting apps and games.
Earlier, the ED had called Rana on July 23. However, due to his busy shooting schedule and other commitments, the actor requested more time and appeared at the Hyderabad ED office this week.
This development comes as part of a larger case where the Telangana police filed an FIR (First Information Report) against 25 celebrities and influencers. They are accused of promoting illegal gambling and betting apps through social media.
Besides Rana Daggubati, other famous names like Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi are also listed in the FIR.
The case began when a 32-year-old businessman named PM Phanindra Sarma filed a complaint on March 19 this year. Sarma noticed a worrying trend after talking to young people in his community. Many were being influenced to put money into gambling apps heavily advertised by popular celebrities. These apps allegedly break the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which bans such activities.
Sarma shared that he almost invested in one of these betting platforms. But later he decided against it after his family warned him about the risks. The complaint points out that these celebrities are reportedly paid large sums to promote these gambling sites.
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The FIR mentions several celebrities and social media influencers. They include Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, and Varshini Sounderajan.
Authorities have charged the accused under various laws. These include the Telangana State Gaming Act and the Information Technology Act, especially Section 66(D). It covers cheating and identity theft. The investigation is currently led by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.
Inspector K Kranthi Kumar of the Miyapur Police Station said, “We are determined to protect the public from harmful gambling platforms that exploit people and cause financial damage.”
As the investigation continues, more details are likely to emerge about the depth of involvement and the financial transactions behind these promotions.