Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad today. He was called in for questioning as part of a money laundering investigation linked to the promotion of illegal online betting apps.
Why Is Vijay Deverakonda Being Questioned?
The case is based on several FIRs filed by Telangana Police, followed by an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) by the ED. The investigation involves 29 celebrities — including actors, influencers, and TV personalities — who allegedly promoted illegal betting platforms, possibly as part of a money laundering scheme.
What Vijay Deverakonda’s Team Said
After his name came up, Vijay Deverakonda’s team issued a clear statement:
- He only endorsed a “skill-based gaming platform”, not any illegal betting or gambling apps.
- His promotion was meant only for regions where online skill-based games are legal.
- His legal team vetted the contract to make sure it followed all Indian laws.
- His association with the gaming platform A23 ended in 2023, and he is no longer connected to it.
They also pointed to Supreme Court rulings that recognize games like rummy as skill-based, which makes them different from gambling.
What About Other Celebrities?
Other well-known names are also part of the investigation:
- Prakash Raj, a veteran actor, was among the first to appear before the ED. He said his link to a betting app was brief and from 2016, and that he quit on moral grounds without receiving any payment. He hasn’t been called again.
- Rana Daggubati was asked to appear on July 23 but got an extension as he was busy shooting in Tamil Nadu. He will now appear on August 11. His team clarified that his contract with a skill-based gaming platform ended in 2017, and it was completely legal.
- The ED is also investigating celebrities like Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhhi Agerwal, Pranitha Subhash, and others from the film and TV industry.
What the ED Is Investigating
The ED is reviewing:
- Financial records
- Digital contracts
- Flow of funds
They are checking if any of these promotions helped in laundering money earned from illegal betting operations.
