Actress Neha Sharma appeared Tuesday before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters in New Delhi. She was called for questioning in an ongoing money laundering case connected to the online betting platform 1xBet.
Sharma had been summoned by the central investigating agency last week, with her appearance scheduled for December 2. Her statement is currently being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Authorities believe the 38-year-old actress became associated with the betting platform through various endorsements. She is the latest high-profile individual to be scrutinized in this widening investigation.
Other celebrities previously questioned in the same case include actors Urvashi Rautela and Sonu Sood, along with cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. The ED previously attached assets worth approximately $1.34 million belonging to Dhawan and Raina as part of the probe.
The ED’s investigation indicates that 1xBet operated in India without proper authorization. The platform allegedly utilized surrogate branding and online advertisements, including social media videos, to target Indian users.
Payments for these endorsements were reportedly facilitated through complex, layered transactions. These methods involved foreign intermediaries, designed to conceal the illegal sources of funds.
The central government recently introduced new legislation aimed at implementing a ban on online gaming across India.