Imagine a high-stakes game where the players aren’t just celebrities, but also the law. In a shocking move, the Telangana police have filed cases against 25 celebrities and influencers, allegedly for promoting illegal betting apps. The list of accused includes big names like Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, Manchu Lakshmi, and Nidhhi Agerwal.
The case was registered in Miyapur, Cyberabad, after a 32-year-old businessman, Phanindra Sarma, filed a complaint. He alleged that these celebrities were promoting betting apps and misleading the public. The accused include six big stars from the South cinema industry.
This isn’t the first time the Telangana police have taken action against celebrities for promoting betting apps. Recently, the Panjagutta police had filed cases against 11 film personalities and social media influencers, including Kiran Goud, Vishnu Priya, and Shyamala, for allegedly promoting a betting app. They were charged under various sections of the law, including the IT Act, 2008.
As the investigation heats up, some celebrities have come forward to apologize and admit their involvement with betting platforms. Telugu TV personalities like Surekha Vani, Supriya, and Ritu Chaudhary have publicly apologized and claimed they were unaware of the negative consequences at the time. They were part of an awareness campaign led by Telangana RTC MD Sajjanar, but their sudden U-turn from promoting betting apps to apologizing has raised eyebrows.
Why the Sudden Crackdown?
The Telangana police are actively targeting celebrities who promote betting apps, and it’s not hard to see why. With the rise of online betting, the state government is taking steps to curb this illegal activity. The question is, will this crackdown be enough to deter celebrities from promoting betting apps, or will they continue to take the risk for the sake of endorsement deals?
A Lesson Learned?
For the accused celebrities, this might be a wake-up call. They may have thought they were just endorsing another product, but they didn’t realize the potential harm it could cause. As the investigation unfolds, one thing is clear – the Telangana police are serious about taking down those who promote illegal betting apps, and celebrities are not above the law.
In this high-stakes game, the Telangana police are playing to win. But will the celebrities learn their lesson, or will they continue to take risks? Only time will tell.