Lagatar24 Desk
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and former cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa in connection with a money laundering probe linked to online betting platform 1xBet. According to sources, Uthappa has been asked to appear on September 22, Yuvraj on September 23, and Sood on September 24 at the ED headquarters in Delhi.
Celebrities Under ED Scanner
The agency has already questioned several prominent names from Bollywood, cricket, and the South Indian film industry over alleged promotion of illegal betting apps. Earlier, cricketers Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan, along with actors Urvashi Rautela, Prakash Raj, Rana Daggubati, and Vijay Deverakonda, were summoned. Officials allege these personalities directly or indirectly endorsed betting platforms, misleading the public in exchange for hefty payments.
Investigation Into Illegal Platforms
The ED has booked 29 celebrities in its Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) for promoting betting websites like 1xBet, FairPlay, Parimatch, and Lotus365, which operate in India without valid licenses. Investigators say the apps often hide behind names like “1xBat” or “1xBat Sporting Lines” to bypass scrutiny. QR codes in ads reportedly lead users directly to illegal gambling sites. Recent raids at 15 locations, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Jaipur, uncovered documents, gadgets, and evidence of large-scale illicit earnings. Telangana Police, running a parallel probe, has also filed cases against over 25 stars.
