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The ED is now keeping an eye on not only Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, but also several other celebrities in this case. ED officials say that more big names may be targeted in the coming days. The agency’s aim is to ensure that no one involved in illegal betting and money laundering is spared.
ED tightens grip on Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan
New Delhi: Trouble has increased for former Indian cricket team legends Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets worth Rs 11.14 crore belonging to both players in a major money laundering case related to the illegal betting app 1xBet. The ED took this action on Thursday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
According to sources, the ED has issued a provisional order to seize Shikhar Dhawan's immovable properties worth ₹4.5 crore and Suresh Raina's mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore. The agency says this action is part of an investigation into the online betting platform 1xBet, which was operating illegally in India.
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According to the ED, fraud and money laundering worth crores of rupees were committed through this app. The investigation revealed that such apps not only violate Indian laws but also facilitate illegal money transfers to foreign accounts.
The Enforcement Directorate recently interrogated both former cricketers and recorded their statements. The ED believes that these players knowingly entered into endorsement deals with foreign companies, despite knowing that these apps are illegal in India.
According to sources, the players were paid large sums of money in exchange for these endorsements. The ED has also initiated an investigation into the financial transactions related to these deals to determine the source of these funds and how they were used.
The ED investigation has also revealed that 1xBet and other related platforms have defrauded millions of people across the country in the name of investment and betting. The agency suspects that tax evasion and money laundering activities were taking place on a large scale through these apps.
The ED has also begun investigating the role of Bollywood actors and other cricketers who appeared in advertisements for these illegal apps.
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The ED is now keeping an eye on not only Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan, but also several other celebrities in this case. The investigating agency has also questioned Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, actor Sonu Sood, actress Urvashi Rautela, Mimi Chakraborty (former TMC MP), and Ankush Hazra (Bengali actor).
ED officials say that more big names may be targeted in the coming days. The agency's aim is to ensure that no one involved in illegal betting and money laundering is spared.
