HYDERABAD– The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati for nearly four hours in connection with an investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal betting applications.
Daggubati arrived at the ED’s regional office in Basheerbagh in the morning and left around 3 p.m. without speaking to the media. Officials recorded his statement and gathered details of his endorsement agreement with the company under scrutiny, along with related financial transactions.
The actor is the third Tollywood celebrity to appear before the ED in this case, following Vijay Deverakonda on August 6 and Prakash Raj on July 30. Actress Manchu Lakshmi has been directed to appear on August 13.
The ED filed an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on July 10 against 29 actors, influencers, and YouTubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. The probe, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
In earlier testimony, Deverakonda said he endorsed what he believed to be a legal gaming app licensed by the government, providing full account and transaction details. Prakash Raj told investigators he did a single betting app advertisement in 2016 but accepted no payment, saying his conscience did not allow it.
In March, Cyberabad police booked Daggubati, Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, and others for allegedly promoting betting apps. Both Daggubati and Deverakonda have maintained they endorsed only legally permitted online skill-based games. (Source: IANS)
