Sonu Sood in legal trouble? ED grills him alongside Yuvraj Singh & Robin Uthappa- Here's why

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its net in a high-profile investigation into illegal betting platforms, summoning some of the country’s biggest names from sports and cinema. Cricketers Robin Uthappa and Yuvraj Singh, along with Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, are the latest to be called in for questioning. According to sources, Uthappa will face the agency on Monday, Yuvraj on Tuesday, and Sood on Wednesday as the probe gathers momentum.

Their names surfaced after investigators traced promotional campaigns linked to offshore betting apps such as 1xBet. These platforms, often disguised as gaming or “skill-based” services, are banned under Indian law. Despite repeated government warnings, their visibility soared thanks to celebrity endorsements and aggressive advertising during live cricket telecasts.

How The Case Unfolded

The ED’s inquiry began with 1xBet but soon expanded to similar betting networks like Junglee Rummy, JeetWin and Lotus365. Officials allege these apps defrauded users through rigged algorithms while masking themselves as legal gaming platforms. In 2023, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had issued strict advisories against such promotions and even blocked access under Section 69A of the IT Act.

Yet, the apps kept reappearing under slightly altered names, bypassing bans with encrypted channels and VPN services. As these platforms flourished, they reportedly paid over Rs 50 crore to Indian media outlets for advertising. This money trail is now central to the ED’s investigation.

Celebrities In The Spotlight

Robin Uthappa is also being questioned for possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Earlier, former cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, as well as actors Urvashi Rautela, Mimi Chakraborty, Rana Daggubati and Prakash Raj, were summoned. The ED has been asking all celebrities if they were aware of the illegality of these apps before lending their names and faces to the campaigns.

While the app operators remain safely tucked away in countries with lenient gambling laws, Indian authorities are determined to track the financial links that helped these businesses thrive. For now, all eyes are on the upcoming ED sessions with Uthappa, Yuvraj and Sood, which could reveal just how deep this star-studded betting scandal goes.