In a recent development, after Ranbir Kapoor the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to call in multiple Bollywood stars, including Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor, Sunny Leone, Hina Khan, Tiger Shroff, Guru Randhawa, Urvashi Rautela, Daisy Shah, Boman Irani, Bharti Singh, Emraan Hashmi, and Ameesha Patel, for questioning in connection with the Mahadev Book betting app case. These celebrities are under scrutiny for their involvement in promoting and endorsing the controversial online app.

According to ED officials, these stars, along with some personalities from the South film industry, were allegedly seen endorsing the app in videos shared on social media platforms. The app, touted as "Asia's biggest gaming platform," lured users with promises of quick payouts within 10 minutes. However, the reality was far from what was advertised. The app's call centre, operating from Sri Lanka, Nepal, and UAE, facilitated the process by connecting potential clients to a panel operator. This operator guided users in opening accounts, placing bets, and receiving money. The entire operation relied on fake document-based bank accounts, complicating the investigation further.

Authorities emphasize that legitimate gaming apps have GST numbers and are registered in India. The mastermind behind the Mahadev app operates from offshore locations, making the investigation a challenging endeavour.

ED sources reveal that they are meticulously scrutinizing the social media accounts of these Bollywood celebrities. They aim to understand the chain of endorsements, the timelines involved, and the roles played by these stars in promoting the app. Furthermore, ED is delving into the financial aspect, investigating the payment methods, amounts received by the celebrities, and whether these payments were made in cash. The agency is keen to identify the sources of these payments and determine if they might be linked to a Hawala network.

While there were alleged photos of cricketers used in the promotion of the app, no direct link to their involvement has been established at this time. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities diligently working to uncover the truth behind this intricate web of celebrity endorsements and the financial transactions that underpin this controversial betting app.