Prakash Raj Appears Before ED In Money Laundering Case, Clarifies 'No Political Motivation'

Actor Prakash Raj appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad on Wednesday for questioning in a money laundering case related to illegal online betting and gambling platforms. After a five-hour grilling, Raj stated that he was offered money in 2016 to promote certain betting apps, but he refused on moral grounds and didn't receive any payment. He cooperated with the ED officials, providing them with all necessary information and assured that his appearance was not driven by any "witch-hunting or political motivation".

Raj emphasised that the officials were simply doing their job, and as a responsible citizen, he was duty-bound to respond to their questions. The ED's investigation involves several celebrities who allegedly promoted illegal betting apps, including Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Lakshmi Manchu, who have also been summoned for questioning.

According to HT, Prakash Raj said while speaking to media, "This was a case of money laundering on betting apps, and the app was something I endorsed in 2016. On moral grounds, I did not pursue it, and I gave them information that I did not receive any money because I did not want to make money from that. They have taken all the details and have finished the enquiry... Officers are doing their job, and as a citizen, I am supposed to cooperate and answer their questions. There is no witch-hunting or political motivation in this."

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In March, Prakash was was added in the list of 25 celebrities and influencers against whom the Telangana Police filed FIR. He had then tweeted on X, "This happened around 9 years back. Since then, I have not done any ads which promote online gambling. In 2021, I think it the company must have sold this app to someone else, who used a couple of snippets of me on social media. We did send them a notice and an email. I said, ‘Look, I am not a part of it. I have said no. I told them they couldn’t illegally use my snippets as the contract has been expired.’ They stopped after that."

"This is my reply to all that I have taken a conscious decision not to promote betting apps. I say to all youngsters, don’t be victim to such gambling because it ruins lives. Say no to betting apps," he further added.