Actress and former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mimi Chakraborty was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in Delhi on Monday in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged illegal online betting platforms.
The probe is centred on how these platforms allegedly use surrogate advertising to collect funds from users. Officials said several platforms host betting and gambling links that are advertised across social media and app stores. As part of the same investigation, the ED has already recorded the statements of former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.
The summons triggered political sparring in Bengal. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “The law will follow its own course. I am not one to say anything about the notice. However, thanks to the agency on behalf of the audience of Bengali films for helping in the promotion of the film Raktabeej 2. After the film becomes a superhit, Mimi will also thank them….”
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh countered: “There are many actors, politicians who are indulged in such illegal activities and TMC’s maximum leaders are involved in such activities. TMC’s politics is about making money, they have no rule.”
In 2023, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued multiple advisories cautioning newspapers, news channels, online publishers and social media platforms against carrying advertisements of online betting and gambling services.
