Following the questioning of cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan in August and September, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian players Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa regarding their alleged connection to a money laundering case linked to illegal online betting platforms. Officials state that these platforms are reportedly utilizing surrogate advertisements across various media to raise funds. Uthappa is required to appear at the ED’s headquarters on September 22, while Yuvraj is scheduled to provide his statement on September 23 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The investigation also encompasses several celebrities from the entertainment and sports sectors, including Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty and actor Ankush Hazra, who were recently interrogated by the ED.
Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela was anticipated to appear but had not done so at the time of reporting. The ED’s investigation seeks to identify links between celebrities and betting platforms, examining endorsement payments and communication methods. The agency has previously summoned representatives from major tech companies like Google and Meta as part of the inquiry. It is looking into multiple platforms that allegedly evade government regulations and continue operations under different names, despite bans. These platforms are suspected of engaging in tax evasion, money laundering, and infractions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), with funds reportedly being transferred abroad illegally.
Estimates indicate that over 220 million Indian users are involved with these applications, with approximately 110 million being regular users. Despite government advisories issued in 2023 prohibiting advertisements for betting platforms across various media and digital channels, celebrity and influencer endorsements have continued, attracting heightened scrutiny from the ED.