The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation into an illegal online betting platform. The 39-year-old sportsman is expected to appear before the agency to provide his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The probe by the ED centers around the financial transactions linked to the betting app 1xBet, which allegedly defrauded several investors and users of significant sums of money while evading substantial tax payments. Dhawan is believed to be involved due to his promotional activities for the platform on social media channels.
This development comes after the ED summoned another former cricketer, Suresh Raina, who was recently questioned regarding his endorsements of the same betting application. The investigation also extends to other celebrities, including actors and television personalities, suspected of promoting such illegal betting operations.
The ED’s ongoing crackdown aims to dismantle the network facilitating these unlawful activities and hold accountable all individuals associated with the promotion and operation of illegal betting platforms in India.
As the inquiry progresses, more high-profile names are expected to be called in for questioning as part of the broader effort to curb illegal online betting practices.
