New Delhi: Former Indian cricket star Yuvraj Singh appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning in an ongoing money laundering investigation. The probe is focused on illegal online betting platforms, including 1xBet, which are accused of duping investors and evading a massive amount of taxes through surrogate advertisements and other illicit financial channels.
The former all-rounder, accompanied by his legal team, reached the ED’s headquarters in New Delhi around 11:30 a.m. His statement will be officially recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Yuvraj Singh is the latest high-profile personality to be questioned in this widening probe. In recent weeks, the agency has also interrogated other former cricketers, including Robin Uthappa, who was questioned on Monday, and Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, who recorded their statements on August 13 and September 4, respectively.
The investigation has also extended to the entertainment industry, with former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and actor Mimi Chakraborty and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra having already been questioned. Actor Sonu Sood has also been summoned and is scheduled to appear before the agency on Wednesday.
The central probe agency is meticulously investigating how these celebrities and sportspersons were approached by the betting platforms and the nature of their association. According to an official, the ED is asking key questions about the methods of payment (whether through cash, banking channels, or illegal mediums) and the location of these payments (in India or abroad). The celebrities have also been asked to provide copies of the contracts they signed with the platforms. The ED is trying to ascertain if the payments received can be classified as “proceeds of crime” under the PMLA.
The company at the center of the investigation, 1xBet, is registered in Curacao and claims to be a globally recognized bookmaker with 18 years in the betting industry. Its website and app are available in 70 languages, and it allows users to place bets on thousands of sporting events. Despite its global presence, online betting and gaming are largely considered illegal in India, a fact that the ED is looking into as part of its questioning.