ED summons former cricketer Suresh Raina in illegal betting app case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina for questioning in connection with the 1xBet case. He is expected to appear to record his statement.

The summons is part of a larger crackdown on illegal betting platforms, many promoted by celebrities. In May, Telangana Police registered cases against 25 prominent actors, including Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, both of whom denied wrongdoing, saying they had stopped endorsing such platforms and had only promoted them in areas where online skill-based games are legal.

On Monday, Rana Daggubati appeared before the ED in Hyderabad over the alleged promotion of online betting apps. He had been called earlier on July 23 but sought a postponement due to film commitments, leading to a rescheduled date of August 11.

The ED is also investigating the financial dealings of other celebrities named in the FIR, such as Manchu Lakshmi, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla, and TV anchor Srimukhi.

From 2023 to 2024, authorities also probed the high-profile Mahdev betting case, which allegedly involved top politicians and officials from Chhattisgarh, including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Baghel denied any involvement, calling the allegations politically driven and timed around the 2023 state elections and last year’s Lok Sabha polls.