Hours after Vijay Deverakonda appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the endorsements linked to illegal betting platforms, the actor has now broken his silence over the issue.
As the Kingdom star was leaving the ED office in Hyderabad on Wednesday afternoon, he told the media that he wasn’t involved in anything illegal.
Deverakonda argued that gaming apps and illegal betting apps are different and therefore, one must not confuse them. He further claimed that the apps he was endorsing are “completely legal” and licensed by the government.
Why Was Vijay Deverakonda Summoned By ED?
In March this year, an FIR was filed in Hyderabad against 25 celebrities, including Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, and Nidhi Agarwal, among others for allegedly promoting illegal betting apps. “Thousands of lakhs of rupees are involved in these illegal platforms and it is also leading many families into distress, especially those of the middle-class and lower middle-class,” a part of the complaint read.
Later, Prakash Raj admitted that even though he appeared in one such ad in 2015, he had opted out of it within a year. On the other hand, Rana Daggubati’s team had also issued a clarification that his endorsement deal was compliant with the law.
Who All Are Being Grilled By ED In Betting App Case?
Rana Daggubati is expected to appear before the ED on August 11. Manchu Lakshmi has been called in for questioning on August 13. In July this year, the Enforcement Directorate had also grilled Bollywood stars Urvashi Rautela and Sonu Sood in connection to the betting app case. Several other popular celebrities, including Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, were also questioned by the agency.
“These platforms have gained massive visibility by partnering with celebrities and influencers — even in defiance of explicit government bans,” an ED official said.
