Tamannaah Bhatia Questioned by ED in IPL Betting Scandal Probe

Oct 18, 2024, 00:39 IST

Tamannaah Bhatia Questioned by ED in IPL Betting Scandal Probe

Tamannaah Bhatia Questioned by ED in IPL Betting Scandal Probe

Indian actress Tamannaah Bhatia was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Guwahati on Thursday as part of their ongoing investigation into the illegal promotion of IPL match viewing on the Mahadev betting app.
The actress and her mother were called in by the ED as part of their investigation into the huge betting scam involving the illegal streaming of IPL games.

This is the second time that Bhatia has been asked about the Mahadev app. The Maharashtra Cyber Cell called her in April of this year because she was running ads for the FairPlay app, which has ties to Mahadev. Viacom 18, which is the official presenter of the IPL, lost a lot of money because FairPlay, a Mahadev company, was caught illegally streaming IPL games.

It didn't take long for the Mahadev betting app scandal to become one of India's most well-known financial probes. The government is looking into a scheme that is worth about Rs 15,000 crore. The app, which works on both Android and iOS, lets you bet on a lot of different sports and entertainment events. But its criminal role in streaming the IPL has brought it to the attention of the public and investigators.

The ED is looking into the role of a number of well-known people, including Bhatia, because she is linked to the FairPlay app. Viacom 18 is said to have lost more than Rs 1 crore because of the actress's support for the site. The broadcaster has the only rights to watch IPL games, and the Mahadev platform's illegal promotion and distribution of these games hurt their ability to make money.

Sources close to the investigation say that Bhatia's job as a FairPlay brand advocate has become an important part of the investigation. The police are looking into how her work as a promoter may have led to widespread violations of television rights and made it possible for illegal betting to happen through the Mahadev app.

In her first statement to the police, Bhatia said she didn't know about the illegal things going on with the Mahadev app and was only pushing the FairPlay platform because she had a legal contract to do so. But the fact that she is connected to the app has caused worry, especially since the Mahadev network is known for illegal gaming.

The Mahadev app is being closely looked at. Besides the IPL incident, the app has been linked to a number of other financial crimes, such as money laundering and helping people gamble without following the rules. Over 38 people have been tied to the Mahadev betting ring by the police. Some of the suspects have already been arrested as part of a larger effort to stop illegal gambling and fraud.

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The investigation that is still going on has shown that the Mahadev site not only streamed cricket games without permission, but it also let people bet on a wide range of sports and entertainment events. The fact that the app can work on multiple platforms and reach millions of people around the world has made it very hard to find all the criminals.

More people will likely be called in to be questioned as the ED's probe goes on. The case has cast a shadow over a number of celebrities and influential people who may have been promoting platforms that were tied to illegal activities without realising it.

The new questioning of Tamannaah Bhatia is a big change in her relationship with the FairPlay app, and it's still not clear what the legal and financial effects of the case will be. We still don't know if more investigations will show more about her possible role in the scam or if she will be punished by the law as the investigation heats up.

People involved in the Mahadev betting scam are likely to face a lot of problems, and the entertainment industry's relationship with online gambling sites is also likely to change. The investigation is a harsh reminder of the need for stricter oversight and responsibility in the digital space. Authorities are still trying to figure out the full scope of the operation.

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