A money laundering case involving high-profile celebrities and social media influencers has surfaced in Telangana. The Enforcement Directorate has initiated proceedings against 29 prominent individuals, connecting them with an illegal online betting racket. 

Some of the celebrities booked include film stars Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and others from the Telugu entertainment industry. The probe was launched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after the ED reviewed at least five First Information Reports lodged by the state police. 

These reports revealed links between celebrities and illegal betting applications reportedly generating illicit revenue worth crores of rupees. The case has sent shockwaves through the film and influencer community in Telangana.

Accused Celebrities and Their Alleged Roles

The ED has listed several entertainment figures and digital influencers suspected of promoting unauthorized betting platforms such as Junglee Rummy, JeetWin, and Lotus365. Allegations suggest that the accused individuals received considerable fees in exchange for endorsing these apps on social media and other platforms. 

Notable names on the list include Manchu Lakshmi, Pranitha Subhash, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Ananya Nagalla. Television hosts and YouTubers like Sreemukhi, Siri Hanumanth, and Harsha Sai are also under investigation. Other influencers and regional stars implicated are Varshini Sounderajan, Vasanthi Krishnan, Shobha Shetty, Amrutha Chowdhary, Nayani Pavani, Neha Pathan, Pandu, Padmavati, Imran Khan, Vishnu Priya, Bhaiyya Sunny Yadav, Shyamala, Tasty Teja, Reethu Chowdhary, and Bandaru Seshayani Supreetha.

What the Celebrities Are Saying

Several of the accused have maintained their innocence, claiming they were unaware of the platforms being engaged in illegal betting activities. According to early reports, the celebrities believed the applications were simply online gaming platforms and not part of gambling or money laundering scheme. 

Despite the statements, the ED plans to summon and record the versions of each individual over the coming weeks. The agency will determine the extent of involvement and if any individuals participated knowingly. Officials are also working to identify victims who may have been defrauded by these platforms.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The ongoing probe is focused on calculating the total proceeds generated through these criminal operations and clarifying the levels of involvement of those under investigation. 

More First Information Reports might be filed as the investigation deepens and new evidence surfaces. The Enforcement Directorate states that it will not presume anyone guilty until all testimonies are documented and thoroughly reviewed. This unfolding case highlights the increasing scrutiny on the connections between celebrity endorsements and illegal financial networks in India’s evolving gambling sector.