Indian police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers, including actors Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi, for allegedly endorsing illegal betting and gambling apps. The complaint, filed by businessman PM Phanindra Sarma at the Miyapur Police Station in Telangana on 19 March 2025, accuses them of accepting large sums to promote these platforms, leading to financial losses among young users.
The FIR also names actresses Pranitha Subhash, Nidhi Agarwal, Ananya Nagella, Siri Hanumanthu, Sreemukhi, and Varshini Sounderajan, among others. The Telangana Police have booked them under various sections of the Telangana Gaming Act and the Information Technology Act, including Section 66(D) for cheating and identity theft. Officer G Ramesh Naidu is leading the investigation.
Inspector K Kranthi Kumar emphasized that the case highlights the authorities’ commitment to protecting the public from fraudulent gambling schemes. The complaint alleges that many individuals, especially from middle-class and lower-income families, were influenced by these promotions and lost their savings. Sarma claims that celebrity endorsements have played a significant role in legitimizing these illegal platforms.