New Delhi: The scope of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) investigation into the money laundering case linked to the illegal betting app 1xBet continues to widen. According to major media reports and ED sources, the investigative agency has now issued summons to former cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, and actor Sonu Sood for questioning.
Citing ED sources, reports state that Robin Uthappa has been asked to appear on September 22, Yuvraj Singh on September 23, and Sonu Sood on September 24. This action is the latest in an ongoing series of interrogations involving several film stars and cricketers in connection with the case.
What is the Latest Development?
On Tuesday, in a related development, Bengali actor Ankush Hazra and former MP Mimi Chakraborty arrived at the ED office to submit their documents. Their lawyer, Shashi Kaushik, told the media that it was a routine investigation process and that they were cooperating fully. He described it as a “routine way” of conducting the probe rather than an “interrogation.”
Several Big Names Already Under Scrutiny
Yuvraj, Uthappa, and Sonu Sood are not the first celebrities to be summoned in the case related to the promotion of the 1xBet app. The ED has previously questioned former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina for hours. The primary focus of the investigation is on the types of contracts these celebrities signed to promote the illegal gaming app and how they received their payments.
What is the 1xBet Case?
1xBet is a Cyprus-based online betting company that illegally operates in India, facilitating bets on cricket, football, and other sports, as well as running an online casino. The ED is investigating transactions worth crores of rupees and money laundering conducted through the app. The case bears a resemblance to the Mahadev Satta App scam that emerged last year, which also involved several prominent celebrities, including Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor.
