New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to former cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the online betting application 1xBet promotion case.
According to sources, the attached assets include mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore held in Raina’s name and property valued at ₹4.5 crore belonging to Dhawan.
ED officials told news agency PTI that several celebrities allegedly used the advertisement payments received from 1xBet to purchase various assets. The agency has categorized these as “proceeds of crime”, indicating that they were acquired using funds linked to unlawful activities.
In September, the ED questioned a number of celebrities in connection with the same case, including cricketers Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, and Shikhar Dhawan, as well as actor Sonu Sood, actress and former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty, and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra. Several online influencers were also interrogated.
Statements from the celebrities were recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA, and many submitted their bank account and transaction details to explain how they received advertisement payments. The agency is expected to summon a few more actors and sportspersons as the investigation continues. Actress Urvashi Rautela, who serves as the Indian brand ambassador for 1xBet, was also called for questioning but did not appear due to being abroad at the time.
Under the PMLA, properties linked to criminal activity can be seized to prevent the accused from benefiting from illicit proceeds. Following the attachment order, the case will be referred to the Adjudicating Authority under the PMLA, and once approved, a chargesheet will be filed in court.
The investigation pertains to alleged illegal betting operations run through 1xBet, which is accused of defrauding users and evading taxes on a large scale. The company, however, claims that 1xBet is a globally recognized betting platform, operating for over 18 years and offering services in 70 languages, allowing customers to place bets on numerous sporting events.
