TELANGANA: ED Probes Telugu Stars in Betting App Scandal
ED Launches Investigation Under PMLA
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a probe against 29 film celebrities, YouTubers, and influencers for promoting illegal betting apps, based on an FIR filed by the Cyberabad Police. The investigation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), targets prominent figures in the Telugu entertainment industry. This follows allegations of widespread promotion of banned apps, leading to significant financial distress among users.
Telangana Police Registers Cases
The Telangana Police has filed cases against a range of individuals, including film actors, television personalities, and social media influencers, under multiple legal provisions. These include sections 318(4), 112, read with 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), sections 3, 3(a), 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act, and sections 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and 2008. The FIR names actors like Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati (Rana Daggubati), Manchu Lakshmi (Manchu Lakshmi), and Prakash Raj (Prakash Raj), among others.
Prominent Names in the FIR
The list of accused includes well-known personalities such as Nidhi Agarwal (Nidhi Agarwal), Ananya Nagalla (Ananya Nagalla), Sreemukhi (Sreemukhi), Varshini Soundararajan (Varshini Soundararajan), and Siri Hanumanthu (Siri Hanumanthu). Other individuals named are Vasanthi Krishnan (Vasanthi Krishnan), Shobha Shetty (Shobha Shetty), Amrutha Choudhary (Amrutha Choudhary), Nayani Pavani (Nayani Pavani), and influencers like Tasty Teja (Tasty Teja) and Bhaiya Sunny Yadav (Bhaiya Sunny Yadav). The FIR also mentions YSRCP spokesperson Shyamala (Shyamala).
Allegations of Illegal Promotions
Authorities allege that these celebrities and influencers actively promoted illegal betting apps, encouraging downloads through advertisements. Many reportedly received substantial commissions and remuneration for their endorsements. The police have received multiple complaints highlighting the financial ruin caused by these apps, including instances of suicides linked to debts incurred through their use.
Social and Financial Impact
The promotion of these betting apps has led to severe consequences, with numerous individuals facing financial crises due to accumulated debts. The FIR notes that several people have taken their lives after falling into debt traps created by these apps. The Telangana Police and ED aim to address the broader societal harm caused by such illegal activities through their investigations.
Ongoing Probe and Legal Actions
The ED’s investigation will focus on tracing the financial transactions linked to the promotion of these apps, under the PMLA framework. The Telangana Police continues to gather evidence against the accused, emphasizing accountability for those involved in endorsing illegal platforms. Further developments in the case are expected as the probe progresses.