Actor Prakash Raj appears before ED in Hyderabad in connection with betting app case

Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in connection with its ongoing investigation into the alleged promotion of unauthorised online betting platforms. He arrived at the ED office in Basheerbagh with his lawyer.

Mr. Prakash Raj was the first among the 29 to appear for questioning before the ED. An officer from the department said that his statements will be verified further. “He answered all the questions. We will be verifying his statements and submission and decide if we have to call him again,” said the officer. 

Speaking to the media outside the ED office later, the actor said that this was a case of money laundering of betting apps. “It was something I did in 2016. On moral grounds, I did not pursue it, and I gave them information that I did not receive any money because I did not want to make money from that. They have taken all the details and have finished the enquiry. Officers are doing their job, and as a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no political motivation in this,” he said.

Mr. Prakash Raj is among several celebrities summoned by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Actor Rana Daggubati, who was directed to appear on July 23, has sought permission to depose at a later date.

Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Manchu Lakshmi have been asked to appear on August 6 and 13 respectively.

The probe relates to alleged paid promotions for betting platforms. The ED suspects that such endorsements were disguised as entertainment or charitable content, while actually promoting unregulated gambling apps.

The investigation stems from multiple FIRs across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and has so far named 29 individuals, including actors, YouTubers, and influencers. While several of them have denied any wrongdoing, the agency continues to examine whether these were isolated campaigns or part of a wider, coordinated push.