Hyderabad: Actor Rana Daggubati appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday following a summons in connection with the alleged promotion of illegal online betting apps.

Earlier, the ED had issued a summons notice to Rana Daggubati for July 23. However, due to the actor’s prior commitments and shooting schedule, he requested additional time to appear at the Hyderabad Zonal ED office.

Background of the case

Earlier this year, the Telangana police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting and gambling applications on their social media platforms.

The FIR was filed at Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad following a petition lodged by 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma.

Sarma highlighted a concerning trend of celebrities promoting gambling apps that violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867. He explained that during a conversation with youth in his community on March 16, many individuals disclosed having been influenced to invest in such gambling platforms, which are aggressively marketed by social media personalities.

Allegations against celebrities

According to the complaint, the accused celebrities are allegedly accepting substantial sums to promote these betting platforms, which encourage users to gamble their money. Sarma himself admitted he was close to investing in one such platform but refrained after his family warned him about the financial risks involved.

The police report lists the following celebrities and influencers accused of promoting illegal gambling apps: Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, among others.

The petition stresses that these apps cause widespread financial harm, especially among lower and middle-income families who are lured by the false promise of easy money. By using celebrity endorsements, these platforms gain credibility, encouraging vulnerable individuals to invest large sums, often leading to financial ruin.

Legal action and investigation

The Telangana police have charged the accused under various sections of the Telangana State Gaming Act and the Information Technology Act, including Section 66(D) of the IT Act, which deals with cheating and identity theft.

The FIR also addresses the promotion of illegal betting activities. The investigation is currently overseen by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.

Inspector K Kranthi Kumar of Miyapur Police Station stated, “This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting the public from harmful gambling and betting platforms that exploit individuals for financial gain.”

About Rana Daggubati

Rana Daggubati is well-known for his performances in blockbuster films such as ‘Baahubali’, ‘Baahubali 2’, and ‘Vettaiyan’.

ANI inputs