Mallika Sherawat and Pooja Banerjee Questioned in Money Laundering Probe

Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and TV actor Pooja Banerjee were recently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case involving Magicwin. This betting platform, reportedly operated by Pakistani nationals, was allegedly linked to illegal activities, including streaming cricket matches and diverting funds through shell companies.

Sherawat and Banerjee were summoned for their promotional associations with the portal. While Sherawat emailed her statement, Banerjee appeared in person at the ED office. The investigation revealed that Magicwin misused bettors’ funds, routing them offshore or investing in cryptocurrency. However, no direct involvement of the actors in illegal activities has been established.

The probe also highlighted how the platform leveraged celebrities for endorsements to attract users. The ED suspects several other Bollywood and television personalities might be connected to Magicwin through promotional engagements. These associations are scrutinized to determine their awareness or participation in illicit operations.

Magicwin’s operators, allegedly based in Pakistan, used complex financial routes to launder money. Indian nationals in Dubai are believed to have played key roles in facilitating transactions. The ED is expanding its inquiry to uncover the full extent of the betting syndicate and its money laundering networks in the Mallika Sherawat and Pooja Banerjee case.

The case has brought attention to the role of celebrity endorsements in promoting such platforms, raising questions about accountability. Both Sherawat and Banerjee maintain their innocence, stating they were unaware of any illegal activities associated with the platform.