The ED had recently issued her a summons as part of its probe into the case.
Published Aug 13, 2025 | 4:11 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 13, 2025 | 4:11 PM
Manchu Lakshmi appears before ED. (Screengrab)
Actress, producer Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna on Wednesday, 13 August, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the alleged promotion of illegal betting applications.
The ED had recently issued her a summons as part of its probe into the case. She arrived at the agency’s Hyderabad office in the morning, where officials questioned her about the remuneration and commissions she allegedly received from the betting platforms.
The investigation, which focuses on the financial transactions and promotional activities linked to the banned apps, has earlier seen the questioning of actors Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Rana Daggubati, who were grilled for six, four, and three hours, respectively.
The probe stems from an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In March, Telangana police registered an FIR against the actors and influencers invoking Sections 318(4), 112 read with 49 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 3, 3(A), 4 of the Telangana Gaming Act (TSGA), and 66D of the Information Technology Act (ITA) 2000.
The FIR filed claimed that the betting and casino apps and websites are targeting young adults from middle and lower-middle-class households.
The FIR read, “The individuals mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. Many others are promoting gambling, betting, and casino apps/websites aimed at enticing young adults and the general public with promises of easy money, ultimately leading them to financial ruin.”
“These platforms actively promote their apps/websites through social media ads, leveraging celebrities and influencers to reach their target audience, even without users actively searching for them, which further exacerbates the issue.”
“Thousands of lakhs of rupees are involved in these illegal platforms and it is also leading many families into distress, especially those of middle-class and lower middle-class,” it read.
However, a press release from actor Vijay Deverakonda in March following the FIR claimed that his past association was with a skill-based gaming company, emphasizing that he had entered into a contract solely to serve as a brand ambassador for the platform. His endorsement was limited to regions where online skill-based games, such as rummy, are legally permitted.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sumit Jha)
