#ED Seizes Properties#ED Seizes Properties#ED Seizes Properties#ED Seizes Properties#ED Seizes Properties#ED Seizes Properties
ED Seizes Properties/sbkinews.in
In a major development under the ongoing crackdown against illegal online betting networks, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized properties worth several crores belonging to former Indian cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa and Bollywood actor Sonu Sood. The assets were attached under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the alleged ₹1,000 crore money laundering probe linked to a foreign-registered betting platform, 1xBet.
According to official sources, the federal agency has provisionally attached properties amounting to over ₹10 crore belonging to multiple celebrities and influencers. The list includes celebrated sports figures, actors, and models who, investigators claim, were allegedly associated with promotional activities for the betting application, which is accused of operating without legal permission in India.
Stars Under Scrutiny
Among those named in the recent action are former Indian cricketing icons Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, along with actor Sonu Sood, former Trinamool Congress MP Mimi Chakraborty, actress Neha Sharma, model Urvashi Rautela’s mother Meera Rautela, and Bengali actor Ankush Hazra.
The ED has reportedly frozen Yuvraj Singh’s assets worth ₹2.5 crore and Uthappa’s assets valued at ₹8.26 lakh, describing them as “proceeds of crime.” Similarly, Sonu Sood’s assets worth ₹1 crore, Mimi Chakraborty’s ₹59 lakh, Neha Sharma’s ₹1.26 crore, Ankush Hazra’s ₹47 lakh, and Meera Rautela’s ₹2.02 crore have also been seized.
Officials revealed that these individuals had earlier been questioned by the ED in connection with their alleged endorsement or association with 1xBet, which is registered in Curaçao and operates globally. The app has been under investigation for facilitating illegal betting, particularly on sports events like cricket and football, and for laundering its earnings through shell companies and cryptocurrency channels.
Connection to 1xBet and Alleged Money Trail
Sources said the investigation stems from multiple FIRs filed by state police units against 1xBet and its Indian subsidiaries for encouraging illegal online betting. The ED’s probe under PMLA is focused on tracing the “proceeds of crime” generated through Indian users via digital wallets, offshore accounts, and advertising partnerships.
According to the agency, 1xBet allegedly paid high-profile personalities to promote the brand on social media and video platforms, indirectly legitimizing its services among Indian users. These financial transactions were reportedly routed through intermediary agencies and offshore accounts to mask the original source of funds.Hindustan times
The ED classified the seized assets as “tainted,” claiming they were acquired from financial benefits linked to the unlawful promotion of 1xBet. Investigators noted that some of the celebrities might not have been aware of the deeper financial irregularities but asserted that ignorance does not exempt one from compliance under anti-money laundering provisions.
Previous Interrogations and Expanding Probe
Earlier this year, the agency had summoned several entertainment and sports personalities, including former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina, for questioning. The investigation aims to identify the chain of financial beneficiaries who allegedly received promotional payments through digital marketing contracts associated with the betting app.
Officials stated that the investigation is in its advanced stage, and more seizures could follow based on the forensic audit of bank accounts and cross-border transactions. “The agency is determined to dismantle the financial ecosystem supporting illegal online gambling operations in India,” a senior ED officer said on condition of anonymity.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Under Indian law, online gambling and betting are largely prohibited, except for certain states with specific regulations. The Information Technology Intermediaries Guidelines and PMLA provisions empower authorities to act against digital platforms conducting or promoting gambling activities without explicit legal sanction.
Legal experts point out that celebrities or influencers endorsing such platforms may face scrutiny not only for possible financial irregularities but also under provisions of the Consumer Protection Act for misleading advertisements.
In recent years, the government has tightened its stance on betting, issuing repeated advisories warning citizens against using or promoting such platforms. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has previously directed digital advertisers and social media platforms to refrain from running advertisements of illegal betting operators.
Public and Industry Response
The latest ED action has sparked discussions across social media and entertainment circles. Fans of the cricketing icons and actors were shocked to see their favorite stars linked to a financial scandal. Representatives for some of the celebrities have reportedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that their clients were unaware of the platform’s illegal status at the time of promotion.
Financial experts believe that the ongoing crackdown could serve as a landmark precedent in India’s efforts to regulate the digital entertainment and influencer economy. “This case highlights how endorsements in the digital era carry not only brand value but also legal accountability,” said Delhi-based policy analyst Rakesh Tandon.
What Lies Ahead
As the investigation progresses, the ED is likely to file supplementary charge sheets and pursue mutual legal assistance treaties (MLATs) with foreign jurisdictions, including Curaçao, to trace the complete flow of funds. The agency is also collaborating with banks and fintech companies to track digital wallet transactions associated with the app.
The case underscores the growing challenges for Indian regulators in curbing illegal online betting operations, which have surged with increased smartphone penetration and digital payment adoption. With multiple high-profile figures now under the scanner, enforcement actions like these are expected to send a strong message to both the entertainment industry and digital marketers about maintaining due diligence while accepting brand endorsements.
The investigation remains ongoing, and official statements from the actors and cricketers named in the seizure are awaited. The ED reiterated that proceedings under the PMLA will continue until the complete money trail is established and all responsible parties are identified.
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