Telugu actor Lakshmi Manchu has finally broken her silence regarding her name appearing in headlines linked to the ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into online betting apps. In a candid interview with Puja Talwar, Lakshmi expressed her frustration with what she perceives as the investigation’s “misplaced focus” and the media’s portrayal of her involvement.
”You know, it’s an ED sit,” Lakshmi said. “I find it very humorous that our government will come to the tail end of the person. I’m like, bro, look at who started it.”
Lakshmi voiced her disappointment, particularly as it became unclear what specific actions were being probed. “I was very, very upset, because the newspaper picks up something, what we went and did is something else,” she explained. She acknowledged the serious nature of the broader investigation, which includes suspected links to terror funding. “Poor things, they are really doing an investigation of where the money is going. These are funding terrorists. I mean, obviously, we didn’t know all this. 100 other celebrities do it. They show me another celebrity who’s done it, and then they come to me, right? And it’s a one-minute thing.”
The actor questioned why authorities weren’t addressing the root issue of the apps’ existence. Despite the gravity of the accusations, Lakshmi stated she has nothing to say about it, while acknowledging the absurdity of the public narrative surrounding her.
About ED’s Case Against Lakshmi and Other Celebs
The ED has been investigating the financial networks behind several online betting platforms, which are suspected of money laundering and potential links to terror financing. As part of this ongoing probe, numerous celebrities and influencers, including Rana Daggubati, Prakash Raj, and Vijay Deverakonda, have come under scrutiny for promoting or being associated with these apps.