FIR filed against Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Lakshmi Manchu and others for promoting gambling platforms

According to the complaint, these celebrities are allegedly accepting large sums of money to promote various betting platforms.

The Telangana police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps through their social media platforms. These include popular figures such as Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu. (Also Read | Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala animatedly chat it up with Rana Daggubati at his store launch in Hyderabad)

Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu have been accused of promoting illegal gambling apps.

The FIR was filed at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad following a petition by 32-year-old businessman PM Phanindra Sarma. The complaint, lodged on March 19 this year, highlights a disturbing trend of celebrities and influencers promoting illegal gambling apps that violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867.

Phanindra claims that during a conversation with youth in his community on March 16, he discovered many individuals had been influenced to invest their money in these gambling apps, which were heavily advertised by social media personalities.

According to the complaint, these celebrities are allegedly accepting large sums of money to promote various betting platforms, which encourage users to gamble their hard-earned money.

Phanindra himself was on the verge of investing in one of these platforms but refrained after his family warned him about the potential financial dangers.

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

The petition emphasizes that these apps and platforms are causing widespread financial harm, particularly among lower and middle-class families who are being lured into the false promise of easy money.

The apps often rely on celebrities to build credibility, leading vulnerable individuals to invest substantial amounts of money, only to face financial ruin.

The Telangana police have charged the accused under multiple sections of the TS Gaming Act and the IT Act, including Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating and identity theft.

The FIR also includes sections that address the promotion of illegal betting activities, with the investigation now being handled by Officer G Ramesh Naidu.

"This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting the public from harmful gambling and betting platforms that exploit individuals for financial gain," said K Kranthi Kumar, Inspector of Police, Police Stations Miyapur.