Tamannaah Bhatia, the renowned actress, finds herself involved in the unfolding saga of illegal IPL streaming. Maharashtra Cyber Cell, the leading investigative body, has called upon Tamannaah to provide her insights as a witness in this intricate case. The actress is slated to face questioning on April 29, as per sources close to the investigation. Additionally, reports suggest that Sanjay Dutt, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, has also been linked to the case. Although summoned earlier this week, Dutt's appearance has been deferred due to scheduling conflicts, prompting a request for a rescheduled date.

Maharashtra Cyber Summons Tamannaah Bhatia for Questioning

In the latest developments, Maharashtra Cyber has issued a summons to actor Tamannaah Bhatia, seeking her cooperation in unraveling the mystery surrounding the illegal streaming of IPL 2023 matches on the Fairplay App. This unauthorized streaming inflicted substantial financial losses amounting to crores of rupees upon Viacom, the rightful owner of the broadcasting rights. Tamannaah is expected to present herself before Maharashtra Cyber on the 29th of April, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation.

Sanjay Dutt's Involvement in the Case

Actor Sanjay Dutt's name has surfaced in connection with the aforementioned case, drawing attention to his alleged association with the unlawful activities surrounding IPL streaming. Despite being summoned on the 23rd of April, Dutt was unable to comply with the summons due to prior commitments, necessitating a rescheduled appearance. Notably, Dutt cited his absence from India during the specified date, underscoring the complexities surrounding the scheduling of his statement.

Allegations of Promotion and Endorsement

Tamannaah and Sanjay are purportedly implicated in promoting and endorsing the subsidiary app of the Mahadev betting platform, FairPlay. This revelation sheds light on the multifaceted nature of their involvement in the controversial affair, raising pertinent questions regarding their roles and responsibilities.

Impact of Endorsements

The repercussions of celebrity endorsements have come under scrutiny in light of the ongoing investigation. With more than 20 influencers, including Tamannaah and Sanjay, endorsing the FairPlay app across various platforms, the investigation is poised to delve deeper into the ramifications of such high-profile associations.

Background of the Case

The legal saga traces its origins back to September 2023, when Viacom18 lodged a formal complaint regarding the unauthorized streaming of IPL matches. With Viacom18 asserting its Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) over the streaming content, the emergence of FairPlay as a platform for illicit streaming dealt a severe blow, culminating in financial losses exceeding Rs 100 crore. Subsequently, prominent figures from the entertainment industry, including Badshah, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Tamannaah, were summoned for questioning. In a significant development in December 2023, an employee of the betting app was apprehended, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.

By meticulously examining each facet of the case and analyzing the intricacies of celebrity involvement, Maharashtra Cyber aims to unravel the truth behind the illegal IPL streaming saga, thereby upholding the principles of justice and integrity in the digital realm.