Vijay Devarakonda appears for questioning before ED in betting apps case
Mr. Deverakonda is one of the 29 individuals summoned by the agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Sources in the ED stated that his statements would be verified against available material and submissions from others who had been previously examined in the case.
The case pertains to promotional content allegedly masking unregulated gambling apps as entertainment or charity-related initiatives. The ED believes that some celebrities and influencers were roped in for paid campaigns that indirectly endorsed betting operations, bypassing regulatory norms.
Actor Prakash Raj was the first to appear before the ED, on July 30. Speaking to the media after his questioning, Mr. Prakash Raj claimed the matter dated back to 2016 and maintained he had not accepted any money. 'Officers are doing their job, and as a citizen, I'm supposed to cooperate,' he said, adding that there was no political angle to the summons.
While some summoned celebrities have cooperated, others have sought time. Actor Rana Daggubati, originally scheduled to appear on July 23, has asked for a reschedule. Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13.
The investigation is based on multiple FIRs filed across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and covers a range of individuals, including actors, YouTubers, and social media personalities. The ED is now attempting to determine whether the promotions were isolated or part of a wider, coordinated operation.
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