On June 12, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) did their research at a Mumbai-based event management firm. This is part of the Fairplay case investigation, linked to the Mahadev Betting app. The firm allegedly involved Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez, and singer-rapper Badshah in promoting the app. The ED has recorded statements from Badshah and the managers of Dutt and Fernandez.
ED Questions Jacqueline, Badshah In Betting App Probe
Sources close to Free Press Journal revealed that the ED had recorded the statement of an individual associated with the event management company a month before the searches. During the search, various documents, including celebrity contracts, payment methods, and transaction details, were seized.
The investigation was triggered by an FIR filed by Maharashtra Cyber Police, Mumbai, based on a complaint from M/s. Viacom18 Media Pvt. Limited. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell had provided the ED with statements from Prateek Singh Sisodia (Badshah) and the managers of Sanjay Dutt and Jacqueline Fernandez, which have been forwarded for further investigation.
Jacqueline Fernandez allegedly received a substantial sum from Dubai-based Trim General Trading LLC for endorsing the betting app. Rapper Badshah purportedly received funds from Lyukos Group FZF, an Australian company. Documents and contracts revealed that Lyukos Group FZF had agreements with two Mumbai-based talent management firms, TM Ventures Private Limited and Afterhours Production Private Limited, to promote the app.
Sanjay Dutt reportedly received Rs 25 lakhs from a Singapore-based gaming company for endorsing the betting app on his Instagram and other social media platforms.
More Bollywood Celebs To Be Summoned Soon
Officials stated that witness statements recorded before and during the search are now being scrutinised. The complexity of the data, including shell accounts, means that specific details cannot be disclosed at this time.
Sources suggest that the ED plans to summon the Bollywood actors soon to record their statements as prosecution witnesses in the ongoing investigation.
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