New Delhi — Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on Thursday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged illegal betting app.
The 39-year-old ex-opener arrived at the ED headquarters in central Delhi around 11 am, where officials recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Sources said the questioning centered around Dhawan’s reported endorsement ties with the betting platform 1xBet, which is accused of duping investors and evading taxes worth crores.
Investigators are examining whether Dhawan’s association with the app extended beyond promotions, as they work to map the broader money trail. The ED is already probing several such cases involving online betting platforms, many of which allegedly lured users into fraudulent schemes.
Dhawan’s appearance comes weeks after former cricketer Suresh Raina was also questioned in the same investigation. The fresh round of interrogations follows the Union government’s recent decision to ban real-money online gaming through new legislation, aimed at tightening oversight on the booming industry.
The ED’s probe remains ongoing as officials continue to summon individuals linked to these apps, which are under scrutiny for large-scale financial irregularities.
