Telangana DGP Serious On Online Betting Mafia Promoter Harsha Sai , Based on Complaint Given by Ravi with Advocate Nagurbabu
Hyderabad, 11th September 2024 – In a significant move against the rising menace of online betting, social activist Yuva Samrat Ravi and Advocate Nagurbabu have lodged an official complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) Telangana, accusing social media influencer and YouTuber Harsha Sai of promoting illegal online betting platforms. The complaint alleges that Sai’s activities violate multiple state and national laws, causing devastating financial losses, addiction, and even threats to national sovereignty.
The Complaint: A Fight Against Online Betting Mafia Don Harsha Sai
Yuva Samrat Ravi, who has been actively click here raising awareness about the social and moral degradation caused by gambling, partnered with Advocate Nagurbabu to bring this issue to the attention of the Telangana authorities. The two highlighted the role Harsha Sai has played in promoting illegal betting apps on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. They accused Sai of enticing vulnerable individuals, especially youth, into gambling through the false promise of quick and easy money.
In the complaint submitted to the DGP, the duo pointed to several violations of existing laws, including:
1. Telangana Gaming Amendment Act, 2017: This act prohibits all forms of gambling and betting, including virtual platforms, in Telangana. Harsha Sai’s promotions of online betting apps directly violate this legislation, causing large-scale financial losses for users.
2. Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000: The complaint claims that Sai has breached several sections of the IT Act. Section 66D (cheating by personation) and Section 67 (transmitting obscene content) were invoked, as these apps deceive users into believing they can make easy money while promoting immoral and harmful content.
3. Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002: The involvement of foreign entities in the illegal betting apps promoted by Sai raises concerns over cross-border money laundering. Section 3 of PMLA, which deals with disguising the origins of illicit earnings, and Section 4, which prescribes penalties for such acts, were cited in the complaint.
Impact on Society: Financial Ruin and Addiction
The complaint did not just focus on legal violations but also highlighted the severe societal impact these illegal betting apps have caused. Yuva Samrat Ravi has personally witnessed the toll on vulnerable individuals, with some users taking out loans to fund their gambling habits, leading to financial ruin and even suicides in extreme cases.
“Online betting apps destroy lives. Young people are getting addicted, taking loans, and ending up in a debt trap. The harassment from loan recovery agents has led to severe mental distress for many families,” Ravi said in a press conference. The duo also emphasized how gambling addiction is on the rise, especially among teenagers, due to the glorified portrayal of quick money by influencers like Harsha Sai.
Harassment by Loan Recovery Agents
Advocate Nagurbabu added that victims, unable to repay their gambling debts, are constantly harassed by loan recovery agents. “These illegal apps are causing people to borrow money they can never repay. When they default, the harassment they face from loan recovery agents is unbearable,” he said.
The complaint calls for a strict crackdown on influencers who promote such platforms, urging the authorities to ban the advertising of illegal gambling apps across all social media channels.
A Threat to National Security and Economic Integrity
The most alarming aspect of the complaint revolves around national security. The promotion of these illegal betting platforms, which are often run by foreign entities, threatens the financial stability of the country. Funds flowing from Indian users to these offshore operators are largely unregulated, which, according to the complainants, constitutes a significant breach of India’s financial sovereignty.
“Allowing these transactions to go unchecked is a threat to our country’s economic integrity. We are requesting an immediate investigation into the cross-border financial flows related to these apps to uncover any money laundering activities,” Advocate Nagurbabu said.
Call for Urgent Action
The formal complaint urges the DGP to take immediate action to investigate and prosecute Harsha Sai for his involvement in the illegal promotion of betting platforms. Yuva Samrat Ravi and Advocate Nagurbabu outlined several key demands:
1. Investigate Sai’s Ties to Foreign Entities: A thorough investigation into the influencer’s connection with the operators of these foreign-based online betting platforms is critical.
2. Legal Proceedings: Immediate legal action for the violations of the Telangana Gaming Amendment Act, IT Act, and PMLA should be initiated.
3. Ban on Promotion of Betting Apps: Social media platforms must enforce strict bans on the promotion of illegal betting apps to protect vulnerable users.
4. Accountability for Influencers: A crackdown on social media influencers involved in the promotion of these apps is necessary, setting a clear precedent that such activities will face legal consequences.
5. Examination of Financial Transactions: A detailed audit of cross-border transactions involving these apps should be conducted to ensure compliance with Indian financial laws.
Illegal betting apps have become a pervasive problem in India, with the promise of fast financial returns drawing in thousands of unsuspecting users. While several states, including Telangana, have amended laws to address this issue, the involvement of influential figures like Harsha Sai has made it harder for authorities to curtail the spread of such platforms.This complaint marks a crucial step in the fight against online betting mafias that exploit the Indian public. By holding influencers accountable for their actions and emphasizing the importance of legal action, Yuva Samrat Ravi and Advocate Nagurbabu have taken a stand for public welfare. Now, all eyes are on the Telangana Police to see if they will take swift and decisive action against Harsha Sai and the broader illegal betting network. Advocate Nagurbabu also noted that several cyber complaints have already been registered against Harsha Sai.