Prakash Raj appears before ED in betting app case; 36 celebrities under scanner

The actor had earlier participated in an advertisement related to ‘Jungle Rummy’ and was booked by Cyberabad police; he clarified that though he had briefly endorsed the betting app in 2016, he immediately ceased after knowing it was illegal

Hyderabad: Senior actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to record his statement in connection with the betting app case on Wednesday.

A team of ED officials questioned him for nearly five hours on various aspects with regard to the betting app promotion by the actor. Prakash Raj arrived at the ED office in Basheerbagh around 10 am accompanied by his lawyer and documents that reportedly included his bank statements prior and after the betting app endorsement in 2016.

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The ED, which had recently issued notices to film personalities who promoted betting apps, had also sent notices to Prakash Raj asking him to appear before the investigation team. It may be noted that the actor who had earlier participated in an advertisement related to the betting app ‘Jungle Rummy’ was booked by the Cyberabad police for promoting betting. The ED had started a parallel investigation into the matter based on the FIR.

There are allegations that many people were attracted by the promotion of betting apps by film personalities and incurred huge financial losses, and some even ended their lives.

Reacting to the ED questioning with the media persons, Prakash Raj said, “The ED officials have recorded the details I shared. They did not call me for questioning again.”

Clarifying that though he had briefly endorsed the betting app in 2016, he immediately ceased after knowing it was illegal. “I had stopped promoting it as I felt it was not ethical. I did not receive any monetary benefit out of it. I told the ED officials the same,” the actor said.

The ED has sent notices to 36 film personalities so far. Rana Daggubati was summoned to appear on July 23. However, he sought permission to reappear later. The ED has also sent notices to Manchu Lakshmi to appear for the investigation on August 13.