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Time of India
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rana Daggubati fails to appear before ED in illegal betting promotions probe; cites film shoot; requests new date
Actor has reportedly informed the (ED) that he is unable to attend their summons scheduled for July 23 due to prior film commitments in Tamil Nadu. The Tollywood star was one among several celebrities asked to appear before the central agency in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal betting app promotions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The probe is being carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is based on multiple FIRs filed across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. According to The Statesman website, while Rana has sought a fresh date, ED officials are expected to issue a revised summons soon. The agency had also summoned fellow actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi as part of the investigation. Their appearances are scheduled for July 30, August 6, and August 13 respectively. A long list of names under scrutiny The investigation involves a larger group of 29 celebrities—ranging from film actors to influencers and television personalities—who are alleged to have promoted online betting platforms operating in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. These include actors like Nidhhi Agerwal, Pranitha Subhash, and Ananya Nagalla, as well as popular TV personalities such as Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, and others. The case stems from FIRs lodged in several police stations including Panjagutta, Miyapur, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam. Platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365 are said to be at the center of this promotional activity. ED sources believe that these campaigns may have contributed to routing large sums of money through questionable financial channels. Clarifications from the actors In earlier statements, both Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda asserted that they had only endorsed skill-based gaming platforms that are legal in India. Actor Prakash Raj clarified that while he had once been associated with a betting app, he chose not to renew the contract after 2017 due to ethical concerns. Manchu Lakshmi has not yet issued a public comment regarding the investigation.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Betting apps case: Rana Daggubati seeks alternate date to appear before ED
Hyderabad: Actor Rana Daggubati has sought an alternate date to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the case relating to alleged promotion of illegal betting apps. The Tollywood actor was issued notice to appear on Wednesday (July 23), but he communicated to the Central agency that he would not be able to appear as he was busy with a film shoot. The actor is reported to be busy with the film shoot in Tamil Nadu. The central agency is likely to issue a fresh notice to the actor with an alternate date for his appearance. The ED has summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi in the case. Prakash Raj has been summoned on July 30. The ED has asked Vijaya Deverakonda to appear on August 6 while Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13. The four actors were among 29 celebrities booked by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The central agency filed an ECIR against 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms, in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Film actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash and Manchu Lakshmi, and Ananya Nagella are among those who have been booked by the ED. The names of TV actors, TV hosts and social media influencers like Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan. Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Harsha Sai and Bayya Sunny Yadav also figure in the list. Most of these celebrities were earlier booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police. FIRs were registered against them at Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam police stations. The ED suspects endorsements of platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others involved laundering of large sums through paid promotions. When some of the actors were booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police, they denied wrongdoing, claiming they ended contracts over ethical concerns. In March this year, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and others were booked by Cyberabad Police for allegedly promoting betting apps. They, however, clarified that they are not promoting any illegal app. While Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda stated that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games, Prakash Raj said he did not renew a contract to promote an app in 2017 after realising that he should not have done it.
India Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Actor Daggubati Rana seeks more time from ED in Hyderabad illegal betting apps case
Actor Daggubati Rana has sought more time to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which summoned him for questioning in connection with the illegal betting apps case. Rana was asked to appear on Wednesday, July 23, but has cited a prior film shoot commitment and requested the agency to grant him another ED on July 21 issued summons to actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu as part of its probe into alleged illegal promotion of online betting platforms. According to the schedule, Prakash Raj has been asked to appear on July 30, Deverakonda on August 6, and Manchu on August investigation stems from an FIR filed by the Cyberabad police in Hyderabad, which named 29 celebrities, including Daggubati, Raj, Deverakonda, Manchu, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, and television anchor Srimukhi. The ED is examining their financial transactions and digital activities for alleged violations under 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 Information Technology Act, provisions that deal with fraudulent activities, illegal gaming promotions, and online to the FIR, Daggubati and Raj promoted Junglee Rummy, Deverakonda endorsed A23, Manchu was associated with Yolo 247, Praneetha with Fairplay, and Agarwal with Jeet Win. The actors and influencers allegedly promoted these platforms through online advertisements that may have encouraged illegal a statement, Prakash Raj clarified that he promoted a gaming app in 2016 but withdrew in 2017, saying he had not endorsed any such apps since then. 'I will respond if approached by the police,' he wrote on for his part, said his endorsement of a skill-based gaming platform ended in 2017 and was limited to legally permitted jurisdictions, with his legal team ensuring compliance based on the Supreme Court's distinction between skill-based gaming and gambling.- EndsTune InMust Watch
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Betting Apps Case: Rana Daggubati seeks Alternate Date To Appear Before ED
Last Updated: Rana Daggubati sought a new date to appear before the ED in a case about illegal betting apps. The ED has also summoned Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda and Manchu Lakshmi. Actor Rana Daggubati has sought an alternate date to appear before the Enforcement Directorate in the case relating to alleged promotion of illegal betting apps. The Tollywood actor was issued notice to appear on Wednesday (July 23), but he communicated to the Central agency that he would not be able to appear as he was busy with a film shoot. The actor is reported to be busy with the film shoot in Tamil Nadu. The central agency is likely to issue a fresh notice to the actor with an alternate date for his appearance. The ED has summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi in the case. Prakash Raj has been summoned on July 30. The ED has asked Vijaya Deverakonda to appear on August 6 while Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13. The four actors were among 29 celebrities booked by the ED on July 10 for allegedly endorsing illegal betting apps. The central agency filed an ECIR against 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms, in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Film actors Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Pranitha Subhash and Manchu Lakshmi, and Ananya Nagella are among those who have been booked by the ED. The names of TV actors, TV hosts and social media influencers like Sreemukhi, Shyamala, Varshini Sounderajan. Vasanthi Krishnan, Shoba Shetty, Amrutha Chowdary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padhmavathi, Harsha Sai and Bayya Sunny Yadav also figure in the list. Most of these celebrities were earlier booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police. FIRs were registered against them at Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam police stations. The ED suspects endorsements of platforms like Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, Lotus365, and others involved laundering of large sums through paid promotions. When some of the actors were booked by Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police, they denied wrongdoing, claiming they ended contracts over ethical concerns. In March this year, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj and others were booked by Cyberabad Police for allegedly promoting betting apps. They, however, clarified that they are not promoting any illegal app. While Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda stated that they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games, Prakash Raj said he did not renew a contract to promote an app in 2017 after realising that he should not have done it. First Published: July 23, 2025, 15:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
ED issues fresh summons to Rana Daggubati
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to actor Rana Daggubati in connection with its investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal online betting platforms. Sources in the ED confirmed that the actor has been asked to appear on August 11, following a request for additional time. He was earlier directed to appear in person on July 23. The ED has summoned several other film and television personalities as part of its probe. Actor Prakash Raj was directed to appear on July 30, followed by Vijay Deverakonda on August 6 and Manchu Lakshmi on August 13. The summons were issued after the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) earlier this month under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), naming 29 individuals, including actors, television personalities, YouTubers, and influencers. The case is based on five FIRs registered in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Cyberabad, Suryapet, and Visakhapatnam, citing suspected violations of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The ED suspects that celebrities promoted betting platforms such as Junglee Rummy, A23, JeetWin, Parimatch, and Lotus365, allegedly receiving significant sums for paid online endorsements. Officials say several of these promotions were presented as entertainment or charity-driven content but were in fact targeted campaigns for unregulated gambling. A complainant alleged a loss of over ₹3 crore after responding to a YouTube endorsement. Those named in the ECIR include actors Praneetha and Nidhi Agarwal, as well as media personalities such as Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, and Shoba Shetty. The ED is currently examining whether the endorsements formed a part of a coordinated strategy to funnel users to unauthorised betting platforms. More summons are expected in the coming days as the investigation deepens.
