Former India cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with an alleged illegal betting app called 1xBet.
Uthappa is scheduled to appear before ED investigators on Monday, September 22, at the agency’s Delhi headquarters. Meanwhile, Yuvraj will have to report to the aforementioned location for questioning the following day.
“Uthappa has been asked to appear before ED investigators at the agency’s Delhi headquarters on September 22, while Singh has been summoned on September 23,” the source added.
The summons were issued days after the ED recorded statements from retired Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina in the case.
According to investigators, the 1xBet case concerns suspected violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with the investigation focussing on financial transactions related to the betting platform, which is outlawed in India.
“Investigators believe promotional activities and financial trails tied to celebrities endorsing the brand could be crucial in establishing the app’s money flow,” a source told me.
Yuvraj and Uthappa, who played vital roles in India’s victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, have also participated in betting app promotional commercials. Yuvraj and Uthappa will need to record their statements under the PMLA.
Yuvraj made his international debut in October 2000, against Kenya.
He played 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is. The renowned all-rounder was named Player of the Tournament when India won the ODI World Cup in 2011. He finished with 11,778 runs and 148 wickets in all three forms. Yuvraj presently enjoys playing golf with his friends.
On the other hand, Uthappa played 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is, scoring 934 and 249 runs, respectively. While his international career didn’t live up to expectations, Uthappa became a reliable batter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), especially during his time at Kolkata Knight Riders. The 39-year-old currently enjoys his time as an expert, appearing on several pre-match and post-match shows.
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