The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched an investigation into sponsorship deals with Bollywood celebrities. fair play app, an auxiliary app for Mahadev Online Book. The investigation aims to investigate money laundering activities. Viacom 18 Officials have been summoned to make statements in the case, which stems from an FIR lodged by the broadcasting company alleging revenue loss of Rs 100 crore.
The ED is currently probing the contracts, payment methods, transactions and company-related details of various personalities in Bollywood. It was reported that the ED plans to summon celebrities and record their statements as prosecution witnesses. free press journal. Prominent personalities such as Jacqueline Fernandez, Sanjay Dutt, Tamannaah Bhatia and rapper Badshah are currently attracting the attention of authorities for their involvement in supporting and promoting fair play.
It has been revealed that funds from multiple shell companies were paid to Bollywood celebrities for promotional activities related to betting apps. Sanjay Dutt reportedly received Rs 2.5 million from an account called Play Venture, a Singapore-based gaming company, for supporting Fair Play on his Instagram page. Jacqueline Fernandez received payments from a Dubai-based company and is suspected of being involved in money laundering activities related to the gambling industry.
Rapper Badshah received payments from a Melbourne-based company that appeared to be a front to cover up illegal financial transactions. Actresses Tamannaah Bhatia, Amalia Dastur and social media influencer Suhana Khan were also identified as promoters of fair play. ED analyzes promotional videos shared by these celebrities on various social media platforms.
Broadcasting company Viacom18 has expressed concern over FairPlay's alleged broadcasting of IPL 2023 matches without permission and acceptance of bets on these matches.is more than 40 bollywood celebrities is currently under intense scrutiny for its involvement in promoting fair play during the IPL 2023 season.
In a further chargesheet filed in December 2023, the ED had alleged that Mahadev Online Books and its associated companies, including Fairplay, were collectively earning around Rs 450 million per month. The agency is investigating suspicious transactions conducted through hawala channels, with a particular focus on the role of Bollywood celebrities in endorsing and promoting betting apps.
