HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate has summoned four leading film personalities — Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi — in connection with its ongoing probe into the promotion of illegal online betting apps. Sources confirmed that Rana Daggubati has been directed to appear on July 23, Prakash Raj on July 30, Vijay Deverakonda on August 6, and Manchu Lakshmi on August 13. The agency will continue issuing summons to others named in the case in a phased manner.
The summons follow the registration of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against 29 actors, influencers, and content creators. The action stems from four FIRs registered by police in Panjagutta, Miyapur, Visakhapatnam, Suryapet, and Cyberabad, all alleging promotion of gambling platforms and illegal betting applications.Among those under investigation are Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, Nidhi Agarwal, Praneetha, Manchu Lakshmi, Sreemukhi, and Shyamala. Several social media personalities and YouTubers, including Harsha Sai, Bayya Sunny Yadav, and the ‘Local Boy Nani’ YouTube channel, have also been named.Public complaints trigger probeThe case has its roots in a complaint filed on March 19, 2025, by P.M. Phanindra Sarma of Miyapur. In his statement to police, Sarma said he observed that many young individuals in his locality were becoming drawn to online betting after encountering celebrity endorsements on social media platforms. He said he himself nearly invested in such an app but refrained at his family’s insistence.He alleged that celebrities and influencers were actively promoting gambling platforms through digital ads, influencing the public and causing financial losses. Among those he identified were Rana Daggubati promoting JungleeRummy, Prakash Raj with JungleeRummy, and Vijay Deverakonda endorsing A23. Sarma claimed that these platforms target vulnerable groups with promises of easy returns, pushing them toward debt and distress.
