Hyderabad, Telangana | July 30, 2025: Veteran actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today in Hyderabad, responding to a summons related to an ongoing investigation into the alleged promotion of illegal online betting games. The prominent ‘Wanted’ actor was seen posing for cameras as he entered the ED office at Basheerbagh.
This development follows a significant move by the Telangana police earlier this year, which saw a First Information Report (FIR) filed against 25 celebrities and influencers. The list includes popular figures such as Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, alongside Prakash Raj, all accused of promoting illegal betting and gambling applications through their social media platforms.
The FIR was lodged at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad on March 19, 2025, based on a petition filed by 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma. Sarma’s complaint brought to light a disturbing trend where numerous individuals, particularly youth, were influenced to invest money in these gambling apps due to heavy advertising by social media personalities. He claimed that during a conversation with youth in his community on March 16, he discovered the extent of this influence.
According to the complaint, these celebrities are allegedly accepting substantial sums of money to endorse various betting platforms, which actively encourage users to gamble their hard-earned money. Sarma himself narrowly avoided financial peril, having been on the verge of investing in one such platform before his family intervened and warned him of the potential dangers.
The police report enumerates several well-known personalities accused of promoting these illegal gambling apps, including: Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, among many others.
The petition emphasizes the widespread financial harm caused by these applications and platforms, particularly impacting lower and middle-class families. These vulnerable individuals are often lured by the false promise of easy money, with celebrity endorsements lending a false sense of credibility to the illicit schemes, leading to substantial financial ruin for many.
The Telangana police have charged the accused under multiple sections of the TS Gaming Act and the IT Act, including Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which specifically addresses cheating by personation using computer resources. The FIR also encompasses sections pertaining to the promotion of illegal betting activities. The investigation is currently being handled by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.
“This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting the public from harmful gambling and betting platforms that exploit individuals for financial gain,” stated K Kranthi Kumar, Inspector of Police, Miyapur Police Stations, reinforcing the authorities’ resolve to combat such illicit activities.
Prakash Raj, known for his versatile acting and often portraying negative roles in films such as ‘Wanted’ and ‘Singham,’ has appeared in over 300 films across various languages in his extensive career. His appearance before the ED today marks a significant step in the ongoing probe, signaling intensified efforts by law enforcement to crack down on illegal online betting in the region.