Police Commissioner Questions Cricketers' Role Model Status
Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar has publicly challenged the role model status of former Indian cricketers Suresh Raina and Shikhar Dhawan following a major financial investigation. The senior IPS officer expressed strong disapproval after the Enforcement Directorate seized assets worth ₹11.14 crore belonging to the two cricketers during a probe into illegal betting platforms.
ED Action Against Cricket Stars
The Enforcement Directorate attached mutual fund investments valued at ₹6.64 crore belonging to Suresh Raina and an immovable property worth ₹4.5 crore owned by Shikhar Dhawan. These actions are part of a broader investigation into offshore betting platforms, including 1xBet and its surrogate brands 1xBat and 1xBat Sporting Lines.
According to the ED investigation, both cricketers had entered into endorsement agreements with foreign entities that were promoting 1xBet's surrogate brands. The probe is based on multiple FIRs filed by various state police agencies across India, highlighting the widespread nature of the betting network.
Police Chief's Strong Criticism
Commissioner Sajjanar took to social media platform X to express his concerns about the impact of such endorsements on Indian youth. "What kind of celebrities are these people?" he questioned in his post. The police commissioner highlighted the serious consequences of betting addiction, stating that countless young people are destroying their lives and thousands have committed suicide due to this epidemic.
He directly blamed the celebrities for promoting what he called "the betting demon that is tearing society apart." Sajjanar urged public figures to speak good words for society's benefit and help youth reach higher positions rather than misleading their admirers.
Ongoing Campaign Against Betting Apps
V.C. Sajjanar, a 1996-batch IPS officer, has been actively campaigning against online betting and gambling apps, describing them as organized crime. During his previous tenure as Managing Director of Telangana State Road Transport Corporation, he advocated for holding celebrities and influencers accountable for promoting betting applications.
His consistent campaign has led to police action against several celebrities and social media influencers who promoted betting apps. The police commissioner firmly believes that public figures bear direct responsibility for such promotions since people trust and follow their endorsements blindly.
The investigation continues to unfold as authorities work to curb the influence of illegal betting platforms in India, with more actions expected against other celebrities involved in similar endorsement deals.
