Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Rana Daggubati appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Monday in a case related to alleged publicity of illegal betting apps.
The actor Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrived at the regional office at Bashirbagh around 10.30 am, he is the third actor to appear before the ED in the case. Earlier, Vijay Devarakonda and Prakash Raj appeared before the Central Investigation Agency.
Rana was issued a notice to appear on July 23, but he could not do so due to a film shoot and requested the ED to give him an alternative date.
The ED called actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Devarakonda and Manchu Lakshmi in the case last month.
Prakash Raj appeared on 30 July, while Vijaya Devarakonda was questioned on 6 August.
Manchu Lakshmi is directed to appear on 13 August.
Four actors were one of the 29 celebrities booked by the ED on July 10 to support illegal betting apps.
The Central Agency filed an ECIR against 29 actors, affected and youtubers for allegedly promoting illegal betting platforms, in violation of Public Gambling Act, 1867.
Under the prevention of Money Laundering Act, investigation is based on five FIRs filed in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
After questioning on 6 August, Vijay Devarakonda claimed that he was called for questioning about a gaming app, which he supported.
The actor said that he supported the gaming app because gaming apps are legal, recognized by the government, and licensed as a business. He presented details like account, company and financial transactions.
Prakash Raj had told ED officials on July 30 that he had not made any payment for support. Officials took details about the advertisement made for a betting app in 2016. Prakash Raj said that he told the ED officials that he did not make any payment as his conscience did not allow him to do so.
He reiterated that he made only one advertisement for the gaming app, but later realized that he should not have done so.
In March this year, Vijay Devarakonda, Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and others were allegedly booked by the Siberbad Police to promote the betting app.
Rana Daggubati and Vijay Devarakonda said that he has only allowed online skill-based sports.
