Vijay Deverakonda Questioned by ED Over Money Laundering Concerns

Hyderabad, Aug 6 (PTI) — Actor Vijay Deverakonda has made an appearance before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe into a money laundering issue tied to illegal online betting and gambling platforms. The 'Liger' actor was questioned at the central agency's zonal office here.

Previously, actor Prakash Raj appeared before the probe agency on July 30 in relation to this case. Besides Raj, the ED has also summoned actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu to undergo similar questioning.

According to sources, these actors have allegedly "endorsed" online betting apps that are involved in the generation of "illicit" funds. Hyderabad-native Deverakonda, known for debuting with the 2011 Telugu film 'Nuvvila', rose to stardom with his performance in the 2017 hit film 'Arjun Reddy'.

During their appearances, the ED is expected to document the actors' statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation agency relied on five different FIRs from various states to build its case against these actors and other celebrities, alongside social media influencers.

The individuals in question are said to have "endorsed" these betting apps in exchange for celebrity or endorsement fees. These platforms are reportedly responsible for amassing "illicit" funds through illegal activities in betting and gambling, worth crores of rupees.

Some notable figures involved have claimed that they were unaware of the exact operations of these apps and products. They asserted that their associations were never intended to facilitate any illegal activities, including betting.