Latest news with #JungleeRummy
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Actor Prakash Raj appears before Enforcement Directorate in betting app case in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into illegal online betting applications. The ED had earlier registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against 29 actors, influencers, and content creators allegedly involved in promoting such platforms. Prakash Raj's name figures in both the FIR and ECIR due to his association with JungleeRummy, an online gambling app. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The complainant, PM Phanindra Sarma, a resident of Miyapur, claimed that Prakash Raj's endorsement significantly boosted the app's visibility and appeal. The probe was initiated following a complaint filed by Sarma on March 19 with Cyberabad police. Prakash Raj, in his statement, acknowledged that he had agreed to promote JungleeRummy in June 2016 after being approached for an advertisement. However, he said he soon grew uneasy about the platform's nature and wanted to disassociate. Bound by a one-year contract, he continued the endorsement reluctantly but chose not to renew it after realizing the app's harmful impact on users. Speaking to the media after appearing before the ED, Prakash Raj said: 'I was summoned by the ED regarding the betting apps case. I informed them that in 2016, I endorsed an app but stopped doing so after I realised it was wrong. I have not received any payments. There were no financial transactions. They checked my accounts and found nothing. I'm cooperating with the investigation. There is no political angle. The officials have taken all the details and completed the enquiry. They are doing their job, and as a citizen, it is my duty to cooperate and answer their questions.' 'I endorsed one app in 2016, and the ED officials are just doing their duty. As a responsible citizen, I have come here to support their measures,' he Raj also advised youngsters not to fall prey to betting apps. 'Money earned through hard work is the best bet—you can sleep peacefully. I have not been asked to appear again,' he concluded. He alleged that celebrity endorsements on social media were drawing youth into online betting, leading to financial distress. Sarma said he himself had nearly signed up for one such app but backed out after concerns raised by his family. According to the complaint, celebrities and influencers were promoting gambling platforms that lured users, particularly vulnerable individuals, with promises of easy money. Instead, many fell into debt and financial hardship. The ED's ongoing investigation is expected to examine the financial and promotional ties between the platforms and the endorsing celebrities, to determine their potential role in enabling or legitimising illegal gambling operations.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Prakash Raj questioned by ED in betting case; Rana, Vijay, Lakshmi summoned
Actor Prakash Raj on Wednesday appeared before the ED officials here for questioning in a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting and gambling by certain platforms. Actor Prakash Raj was questioned by the ED for about four hours. He said he did the assignment with the apps in 2016 but didn't take any money on moral grounds.(PTI) The actor, popular in Telugu, Kannada and other South Indian films, appeared before officials of the probe agency at its zonal office here. Raj, who was questioned for about four hours, said he did the assignment with the apps in 2016, but did not take any money for it on moral grounds. He also said he had discontinued promoting the apps. "I gave them information that I had not received any money (for the promotion). Because I did not want to take any money for that. They (ED officials) have taken all the details," he told reporters. Asked if the investigation is politically motivated, he replied in the negative. "Officers are doing their job. As a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no witch-hunting or political motivation in this," he said. Raj added that he has not been asked to appear again for questioning. Also Read: 'No witch-hunting or political motivation': Prakash Raj clarifies as he appears before ED in money laundering case ED also summons actors Rana, Vijay, and Lakshmi Besides Raj, the ED had also summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu for questioning in the case. The agency asked Daggubati (40) to appear before the zonal office here on July 23, Raj (60) on July 30, Deverakonda (36) on August 6 and Lakshmi (47) on August 13. The actors had "endorsed" online betting apps allegedly involved in generating "illicit" funds, official sources had said. However, the ED gave a fresh date of August 11 to actor Daggubati after he failed to appear on July 23, seeking deferment of the summons. The ED had taken cognisance of as many as five state police FIRs to register its case against these actors and a number of other celebrities and social media influencers. These individuals are suspected to have "endorsed" online betting apps like Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, Lotus365, etc, for celebrity or endorsement fee, ED sources had said. Also Read: ED conducts raids in Telangana sheep-distribution 'scam' case Betting platforms generated "illicit" funds These platforms are alleged to have generated "illicit" funds, through illegal betting and gambling, worth crores of rupees, the sources had said. Some of these "well-known" persons, the sources said, have earlier stated that they did not know the exact functioning of the apps and products dished out by them and claimed that they did not associate themselves with these platforms for any wrongdoing or illegal activity like betting.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Prakash Raj appears before ED in Hyderabad in online betting probe
Actor Prakash Raj on Wednesday appeared before the ED officials here for questioning in a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting and gambling by certain platforms. The actor, popular in Telugu, Kannada and other South Indian films, appeared before officials of the probe agency at its zonal office here. Raj, who was questioned for about four hours, said he did the assignment with the apps in 2016, but did not take any money for it on moral grounds. He also said he had discontinued promoting the apps. "I gave them information that I had not received any money (for the promotion). Because I did not want to take any money for that. They (ED officials) have taken all the details," he told reporters. Asked if the investigation is politically motivated, he replied in the negative. "Officers are doing their job. As a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no witch-hunting or political motivation in this," he said. Raj added that he has not been asked to appear again for questioning. Besides Raj, the ED had also summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu for questioning in the case. The agency asked Daggubati (40) to appear before the zonal office here on July 23, Raj (60) on July 30, Deverakonda (36) on August 6 and Lakshmi (47) on August 13. The actors had "endorsed" online betting apps allegedly involved in generating "illicit" funds, official sources had said. However, the ED gave a fresh date of August 11 to actor Daggubati after he failed to appear on July 23, seeking deferment of the summons. The ED had taken cognisance of as many as five state police FIRs to register its case against these actors and a number of other celebrities and social media influencers. These individuals are suspected to have "endorsed" online betting apps like Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, Lotus365, etc, for celebrity or endorsement fee, ED sources had said. These platforms are alleged to have generated "illicit" funds, through illegal betting and gambling, worth crores of rupees, the sources had said. Some of these "well-known" persons, the sources said, have earlier stated that they did not know the exact functioning of the apps and products dished out by them and claimed that they did not associate themselves with these platforms for any wrongdoing or illegal activity like betting. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mint
a day ago
- Mint
What actor Prakash Raj told ED in 4 hours of questioning: ‘Was offered money in 2016, but…'
Actor Prakash Raj, who appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting and gambling case, has said that he did not receive any money because he had refused the offer. Speaking with reporters after meeting the ED officials in Hyderabad, Prakash Raj said he was offered money in 2016 but he refused on 'moral grounds'. Raj, who was questioned for about four hours, said he did the assignment with the apps but chose not to take any money. Prakash Raj also said he had discontinued promoting the apps. 'The officers summoned me as a citizen of the country in connection with a money laundering case linked to betting apps. It was something I was offered back in 2016. On moral grounds, I chose not to pursue it,' he said. The actor further told the media that he informed the ED officials that he did not receive any money as he had declined the offer. 'I have shared all the information I possess. The officers are doing their job, and as a responsible citizen, it is my duty to cooperate and respond to their questions,' he said. Prakash Raj added that he has not been asked to appear again for questioning. Besides him, the law enforcement agency had also summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu for questioning in the online betting case. The agency asked Daggubati (40) to appear before the zonal office in Hyderabad on July 23, Raj (60) on July 30, Deverakonda (36) on August 6 and Lakshmi (47) on August 13. The actors had 'endorsed' online betting apps – such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, Lotus365 – allegedly involved in generating 'illicit' funds for celebrity fee, official sources had said. Some of these "well-known" persons, the sources said, have earlier stated that they did not know the exact functioning of the apps and products dished out by them and claimed that they did not associate themselves with these platforms for any wrongdoing or illegal activity like betting.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Actor Prakash Raj appears before ED in Hyderabad in online betting apps case
Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 30 in connection with the alleged illegal promotion of online betting platforms. His name figures among 29 celebrities named in a case based on an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police in Hyderabad.#WATCH | Hyderabad, Telangana: Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at Basheerbagh in Hyderabad, in response to a notice served to him regarding an online betting games promotion case. ANI (@ANI) July 30, 2025advertisementThe FIR, accessed by India Today, accuses several actors and influencers of promoting betting apps through online advertisements. Prakash Raj was allegedly associated with Junglee Rummy, a gaming app he promoted in 2016. However, the actor has clarified that he withdrew from the endorsement in 2017 after realising it was inappropriate and has since not promoted any gaming ED is probing financial transactions and digital trails linked to the celebrities. Among those summoned are actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, and television anchor Srimukhi. The investigation stems from charges filed under multiple laws, including Sections 318(4) and 112 read with Section 49 of the Bharat Nyay Sanhita, Section 4 of the Telangana State Gaming Act, and Section 66-D of the IT Act — all pertaining to fraudulent activity and online Rana Daggubati, who was asked to appear on Wednesday, July 23, sought more time, citing film commitments. The agency then asked him to appear on August 13. Manchu Lakshmi is also scheduled to appear on the same date, and Vijay Deverakonda has been summoned for August 6.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Hyderabad
