The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has called former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina for questioning in connection with the high-profile illegal betting app case linked to 1xBet. As per the information, Raina is scheduled to appear before the agency on Wednesday to record his statement. Raina, who is the brand ambassador for the app, has been summoned as part of an ongoing probe under money laundering charges linked to the platform.
The former Indian cricketer is understood to have been linked to the app through certain endorsements. The ED officials are expected to understand his links with this app during the questioning. Notably, the central probe agency is investigating the alleged illegal betting and gaming operations of 1xBet, which has also brought several other cricketers and Bollywood celebrities under its scanner.
The Enforcement Directorate's specific line of questioning for former Team India star Suresh Raina remains unclear. However, the agency is pursuing leads across multiple cities as part of an extensive investigation into online platforms accused of duping users and laundering money.
Other celebrities under ED's lens
Earlier on Monday, actor Rana Daggubati appeared before the ED in Hyderabad in connection with the same probe. In July, the agency had also summoned actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Rana Daggubati and Lakshmi Manchu for questioning. As per reports, the ED is also examining the financial transactions and digital footprints of several other celebrities named in the FIR, including actors Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagalla and television anchor Srimukhi.
Mahdev betting case background
This investigation comes on the heels of the high-profile Mahdev online betting case pursued between 2023 and 2024, which saw explosive allegations against senior politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh. Among them was former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel who was accused of being a key beneficiary of the scam. However, Baghel has firmly denied any involvement, dismissing the charges as "politically motivated" and pointing out that they emerged in the run-up to the 2023 state elections and last year's Lok Sabha polls.
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