Patna: Bollywood actress Neha Sharma was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Delhi on Monday in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the online betting platform 1xBet. The questioning took place after the agency issued a summons last week calling her to appear on 2 December. ED officials recorded her statement under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of the wider probe into the betting network and the financial transactions associated with it.
Investigators believe Neha Sharma may have been connected to the betting platform through promotional endorsements carried out on digital platforms. According to the agency, 1xBet operated in India without formal authorisation and used surrogate branding and aggressive online advertising to expand its user base. ED officials are now assessing whether celebrity participation played a role in helping the company reach Indian audiences while bypassing regulations.
The case has also drawn attention because several well-known public figures have been linked to the app’s promotions. Actor Urvashi Rautela had endorsed 1xBet and was earlier questioned by the ED. Cricketers including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan were also summoned in the same inquiry. Their involvement has raised concerns about the role of celebrity endorsements in encouraging participation in illegal betting platforms, especially among young online users.
The development has taken on a political dimension because Neha Sharma is the daughter of former Bihar Congress MLA Ajit Sharma. She actively campaigned for him during the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections and held a roadshow in Bhagalpur, riding in an open jeep and greeting voters. During the campaign she appealed to residents to support her father and help continue the city’s development. Despite the high-profile campaigning, Ajit Sharma lost the election to Rohit Pandey of the BJP-led NDA alliance.
At present, the Enforcement Directorate has not confirmed whether Neha Sharma will be called again for further questioning. Officials have indicated that the investigation is far from over and that financial records, payments for endorsements and communication trails will continue to be examined. The case has added fresh debate around the link between the entertainment industry, politics and illegal betting markets, raising questions about accountability and the influence of celebrity promotions on the public.
