FIR Filed Against Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Lakshmi Manchu, and Others for Promoting Gambling Platforms: The Telangana police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 25 celebrities and influencers for allegedly promoting illegal betting and gambling apps. The list includes well-known figures such as Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Lakshmi Manchu, among others. The FIR was filed at the Miyapur Police Station in Hyderabad after a complaint by PM Phanindra Sarma, a 32-year-old businessman.
The Complaint and Investigation
Phanindra Sarma lodged the complaint on March 19, highlighting a concerning trend of celebrities endorsing gambling apps that violate the Public Gambling Act of 1867. According to Sarma, he learned about the widespread influence of these platforms during a conversation with young individuals in his community on March 16. He discovered that many people had been persuaded to invest their money in gambling apps due to heavy promotion by social media influencers and celebrities.
The complaint alleges that these celebrities accepted large sums of money to promote these platforms, leading users to risk their hard-earned income on gambling activities. Sarma himself nearly invested in one such platform but refrained after his family warned him about potential financial dangers.
List of Accused Celebrities and Influencers
Among those named in the FIR are:
- Rana Daggubati
- Prakash Raj
- Vijay Deverakonda
- Lakshmi Manchu
- Praneetha
- Nidhi Agarwal
- Ananya Nagella
- Siri Hanumanthu
- Sreemukhi
- Varshini Sounderajan
Legal Charges and Consequences
The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Telangana State Gaming Act and the Information Technology (IT) Act. Notably, Section 66(D) of the IT Act, which deals with cheating and identity theft, has been invoked in the FIR. Other sections address the promotion of illegal betting activities.
The case is being investigated by Officer G. Ramesh Naidu, with Inspector K. Kranthi Kumar of Miyapur Police Station emphasizing the seriousness of the issue.
“This investigation underscores our commitment to protecting the public from harmful gambling and betting platforms that exploit individuals for financial gain,” said Inspector Kumar.
The Impact of Celebrity Endorsements on Gambling Apps
The complaint highlights the financial harm caused by these gambling apps, particularly among lower and middle-class families. Many users fall victim to the false promise of easy money, often encouraged by the credibility of celebrities endorsing these platforms.
Gambling apps often exploit the reach and influence of well-known personalities to attract more users. As a result, many unsuspecting individuals invest substantial amounts of money, only to suffer significant financial losses.
Conclusion
The FIR against these celebrities and influencers marks a significant step toward curbing illegal gambling promotions in India. The case serves as a warning to celebrities about the consequences of endorsing such platforms and emphasizes the need for stricter regulations in digital advertising. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action is expected against those found guilty of promoting illegal gambling activities.