Chikoti casino case: Mallika Sherawat, Govinda, politicos in ED radar?
The ED issued notices to 10 film personalities and 20 public representatives for their alleged involvement in the casino deals.
HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized the mobile phone of Chikoti Praveen, who is being questioned for his involvement in holding Casino events in and outside the country. Officials found key data of hawala transactions, cash transactions, conversations with celebrities and elected public representatives.
The ED issued notices to 10 film personalities and 20 public representatives for their alleged involvement in the casino deals.
Investigation revealed that famous film celebrities were casted in a promotion video of the Casino event at Indo-Nepal border for which Praveen Chikoti paid them huge amounts. Reportedly, Mallika Sherawat was paid Rs 1 crore, Amisha Patel Rs 80 lakhs, Isha Rebba got Rs 40 lakhs, Ganesh Acharya got Rs 20 lakhs, Mumait Khan got Rs 15 lakhs, Dimple Hayati got Rs 40 lakhs and Govinda got Rs 50 lakhs.
They procured WhatsApp conversations of Praveen with celebrities, politicians, businessmen where he shared alluring promos of the casino events.
Ex Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, whose name was reportedly found on the guest list, said, "I do go to the casino. I confess to playing poker occasionally, but I have nothing to do with Chikoti Praveen or the hawala transactions."
The ED also inquired about Chikoti Praveen's birthday party, for which, reportedly, Rs 5 crore was spent. It was revealed that the hawala money was used to pay for the party. They also found that many celebrities and politicos were on the party's guest list.