Manchu Lakshmi Prasanna appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad on Wednesday in connection with an ongoing money-laundering investigation related to the promotion of alleged illegal betting and gambling applications. Her summons follow questioning of fellow actors like Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda and Prakash Raj.

According to officials, Lakshmi arrived at the ED’s Basheerbagh office around 10.30 AM, where she is expected to be questioned regarding her endorsements of certain betting apps, any contracts signed, and the remuneration received. The agency is also said to be gathering details about financial transactions and will record her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

This probe stems from a March 2024 FIR filed at Miyapur Police Station based on a complaint by businessman PM Phanindra Sarma. The case alleges that various Telugu cinema celebrities, television personalities and influencers endorsed online betting apps that duped users in violation of the Public Gambling Act, 1867. Alongside Lakshmi, the list of those booked includes Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, Praneetha, Nidhi Agarwal and Ananya Nagella, among others.

Earlier, Vijay Deverakonda clarified after his ED appearance that he had promoted "skill-based gaming apps, not betting apps." Similarly, Prakash Raj told investigators he had accepted no payment for an advertisement and later regretted participating. Rana Daggubati was questioned for nearly four hours.

Outside the investigation, Manchu Lakshmi continues to be active in films. She was last seen in Karan Johar’s reality show, The Traitors.