Hyderabad: Actor Rana Daggubati appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday after being summoned in connection with the alleged promotion of online betting games.

Previously, the ED had issued a summons for July 23, but due to Daggubati’s existing commitments and filming schedule, he requested additional time to report to the Hyderabad Zonal ED office.

Earlier this year, the Telangana police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers, including well-known personalities such as Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, for purportedly endorsing illegal betting and gambling applications via their social media channels.

The FIR was registered at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad following a complaint from 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma.

The complaint, filed on March 19 this year, underscores a troubling trend of celebrities and influencers endorsing illegal gambling applications that contravene the Public Gambling Act of 1867.

Sarma asserts that during a discussion with young people in his community on March 16, he learned that many had been persuaded to invest their funds in these gambling applications, which were heavily promoted by social media figures.

According to the complaint, these celebrities are reportedly receiving substantial payments to endorse various betting platforms, which entice users to wager their hard-earned money.

Sarma himself was close to investing in one of these platforms but decided against it after his family cautioned him about the potential financial risks.

The police report enumerates several celebrities and influencers accused of promoting illegal gambling applications, including: Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Manchu Lakshmi, Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, Varshini Sounderajan, and many others.