Vijay Deverakonda grilled by Enforcement Directorate in online betting racket probe

Hyderabad: Popular Telugu actor Vijay Deverakonda was summoned and questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with a high-profile online betting racket allegedly involving money laundering and financial irregularities.

According to sources, Deverakonda arrived at the ED's regional office in Hyderabad around 10 AM and was questioned for several hours. The agency is probing possible links between several celebrities and promoters of illicit betting platforms, including suspected investments, promotional deals, and financial transactions routed through unregulated channels.

Officials stated that Deverakonda was called in as part of a larger investigation and not necessarily as an accused. "His statements are being recorded to clarify certain transactions and brand associations," a senior official said, requesting anonymity.

The case pertains to a digital betting platform operating across state lines, which reportedly funneled large sums of money through shell companies and crypto wallets. The ED has intensified its crackdown on such networks following recent arrests and digital forensics breakthroughs.

Deverakonda, known for his roles in ‘Arjun Reddy’ (2017) and ‘Geetha Govindam’ (2018), has not issued a formal statement but is expected to cooperate fully with the investigation.

The actor’s presence at the ED office has created a buzz among fans and media, highlighting the increasing intersection between celebrity endorsements and regulatory scrutiny.