The ED’s 1xBet investigation has exposed over 6,000 mule accounts and ₹1,000 crore in laundered funds. Apart from Dhawan and Raina, celebrities like Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sonu Sood, and Mimi Chakraborty have also been questioned. The probe reveals how illegal betting networks used celebrity endorsements and surrogate branding to target Indian users.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, November 9: Just hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the attachment of his immovable property worth ₹4.5 crore in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to the illegal betting platform 1xBet, former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan made a surprise public appearance—joining Baba Bageshwar Dham’s ‘Padyatra for Hindu Rashtra’ in Madhya Pradesh.
The development comes amid mounting scrutiny over Dhawan’s alleged involvement in promotional deals with offshore entities linked to the banned betting platform. The ED’s move, part of a larger crackdown on celebrity endorsements connected to money-laundering networks, also targeted Suresh Raina, whose mutual fund investments worth ₹6.64 crore were attached the same day.
According to the ED, both players had “knowingly entered into endorsement agreements” with foreign surrogates of 1xBet, receiving payments through layered transactions meant to conceal the illicit origin of funds. The agency stated that these endorsements contributed to promoting illegal online gambling across India.
A Spiritual Turn Amid Controversy
In a dramatic shift in public image, Dhawan appeared alongside Baba Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Baba Bageshwar, in a religious march demanding the declaration of India as a “Hindu Rashtra.” Videos circulating on social media showed the star batsman walking barefoot amid chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” surrounded by hundreds of devotees waving saffron flags.
While Dhawan refrained from addressing the ED case directly, his participation in the padyatra was seen by many as a symbolic move to align himself with a nationalist religious narrative—possibly to regain public favor. Supporters on social media hailed his presence as an act of “courage and faith,” while critics accused him of attempting “image whitewashing” amid legal troubles.
आचार्य धीरेंद्र शास्त्री की पदयात्रा में पहुंचे शिखर धवन
Former cricketer Shikhar Dhawan says, “I am very happy to be here. The idea of Acharya Dhirendra Shastri behind this padayatra is to make Hindus rise above caste lines and promote Hindutva… There is great strength in… pic.twitter.com/razOHeaRXR
— CNBC-AWAAZ (@CNBC_Awaaz) November 8, 2025
The ED Crackdown Widens
The Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into 1xBet has snowballed into one of India’s largest money-laundering probes, revealing a complex web of over 6,000 mule accounts, multiple unverified payment gateways, and transactions exceeding ₹1,000 crore.
Apart from Dhawan and Raina, statements of several other celebrities—including Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty, Urvashi Rautela, and Ankush Hazra—have also been recorded. Officials said more high-profile endorsements are under review, as investigators suspect deliberate concealment of fund origins.
“Payments were routed through foreign intermediaries to disguise their source. These celebrities were paid to endorse or indirectly promote a brand engaged in illegal betting,” an ED spokesperson said.
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Public Reaction Divided
The juxtaposition of Dhawan’s property attachment and his sudden appearance at a religio-political event has triggered a wave of reactions online. Some social media users questioned the timing, calling it “a tactical distraction,” while others praised the cricketer for “returning to his cultural roots.”
Political observers say the move reflects a growing trend among public figures to seek moral or ideological shelter in religious symbolism when faced with scrutiny. “Religion has become a powerful shield in India’s celebrity politics—one that can quickly change public perception,” said a Delhi-based sociologist.
As Dhawan continues his spiritual march, the ED’s investigation into his financial dealings is far from over. Whether his newfound devotion will help him weather the legal storm—or deepen the controversy—remains to be seen.
