In a sensational video posted on his channel Naa Anveshana, YouTuber Anvesh alleged that Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender and five Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers accepted bribes to allow the operation and promotion of betting apps across the state. He claimed the officials misused their positions, allowing betting ads across Hyderabad Metro premises in exchange for kickbacks and enabling a scam worth ₹300 crore.
Among those named were Hyderabad Metro Rail MD NVS Reddy, IAS officers Santhi Kumar, Dana Kishor, and Vikas Raj. The video, viewed widely across Telugu-speaking states, added that the advertisements were later removed following a Telangana High Court directive in response to a public interest litigation.
Police Deem Allegations Baseless, Book YouTuber
Telangana Cyber Crime Police swiftly responded by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Anvesh, calling his statements defamatory and baseless. The FIR was lodged based on a complaint by A. Naveen Kumar, a constable with Cyberabad Police’s social media team. Authorities accused Anvesh of disseminating unverified claims and potentially damaging the reputations of senior government officials.
“Spreading misinformation on such a sensitive subject without evidence can severely erode public trust in institutions,” a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.
Anvesh, who has 2.4 million YouTube subscribers and 2 million Instagram followers, faces potential legal action under sections related to defamation, cybercrime, and public mischief.
Wider Crackdown on Betting App Promotions
This incident comes amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal betting apps and their promoters. Recently, Hyderabad Police registered cases against actors Rana Daggubati, Vijay Deverakonda, Prakash Raj, and over 20 social media influencers for allegedly endorsing betting platforms.
Anvesh, however, has defended his video as “investigative journalism” and accused the state of “shooting the messenger.” Critics argue his video lacked basic evidentiary backing and blurred the line between reporting and defamation.
While HMRL removed all betting app advertisements, and some legal probes into related ad contracts are reportedly underway, officials maintain no wrongdoing by government officers has been established thus far.
A Tense Balance Between Speech and Responsibility
The case underscores the challenges of balancing digital freedom and accountability. While social media has empowered independent voices, it has also amplified the risks of misinformation, especially when it targets public officials.
Legal experts note that while criticism of public servants is allowed, allegations without proof can invoke defamation laws. The court’s view on whether Anvesh’s video amounts to whistleblowing or slander could set a precedent for future digital discourse.
As of now, the video remains live, and the debate around Anvesh’s claims continues to polarize public opinion.
