Former Cricketer Shikhar Dhawan Questioned by ED in Online Betting Investigation
Shikhar Dhawan questioned by ED over alleged links to illegal online betting app 1xBet amid India’s crackdown on gambling.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has called former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan for questioning in an ongoing investigation into an alleged money laundering case linked to an illegal betting app. This comes just days after former cricketer Suresh Raina was questioned for nearly eight hours in the same case.
Sources say Dhawan has been asked to appear at the ED’s Delhi office on Thursday, September 4, for detailed questioning. The case involves the betting platform 1xBet, which is already being investigated for possible violations of financial and cyber laws. Officials believe Dhawan’s connection to the app came through endorsement deals, and his questioning will focus on that aspect.
“A source told the Indian Express that once Dhawan gives his statement, the ED will record it under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).”
The source added that during questioning, the ED asked Raina about how the betting app owners contacted him, how he received money, where taxes were paid, and details of several financial transactions.
Earlier, the ED recorded Suresh Raina’s statement under the PMLA, and a similar process is expected for Shikhar Dhawan. The agency is investigating several betting and gambling apps that allegedly cheated investors of crores of rupees while avoiding taxes.
Initial findings suggest possible violations not only under the PMLA but also under the Information Technology Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). These issues indicate a wider network of financial irregularities involving online platforms and offshore entities.
The ED’s investigation into Shikhar Dhawan’s connections is part of this bigger effort to control and stop illegal online betting in India.