YouTuber Accuses Telangana Authorities of Corruption: $36M for Betting Ads in Hyderabad Metro
The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against popular Telugu YouTuber Anvesh (Naa Anveshana) for defamation.
What Happened?
On April 29, travel vlogger and outspoken critic of online gambling Anvesh uploaded a video titled “Telangana DGP Metro Scam” on his channel Prapancha Yatrikudu, where he claimed that Telangana state authorities received a $36 million bribe for advertising banned betting apps in Hyderabad Metro.
The video included photos of top officials, including Telangana Director General of Police Jitender, as well as other IAS officers and Hyderabad Metro MD NVS Reddy. The blogger alleged that the ads had been running since 2020.
Authorities’ Reaction
The content sparked strong reactions: a complaint was filed with the police by Constable A. Navin Kumar, and later Cyberabad Police initiated a case on their own. As a result, Anvesh was charged under the following sections:
- Section 352 BNS — intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace;
- Section 353 BNS — statements leading to public disorder;
- Section 356 BNS — defamation;
- Violation of the Information Technology (IT) Act.
Police claim that the video contained offensive language and anti-national remarks and was made with the intention to “distort facts” and “undermine trust in government institutions.”
Defense Arguments
The blogger’s lawyer, Nagurbabu, stated that the statements are allegations, not proven facts, and Anvesh has a right to free speech. He emphasized that the video has already been removed from the platform.
What Kind of Ads Were in the Metro?
The ads in question promoted operators whose activities are under serious scrutiny:
| Operator | Status |
|---|---|
| 1xBet | Banned in several Indian states |
| FairPlay | Under investigation for laundering over $1.5 billion |
| MyJackpot777 | Operations under question |
According to Attorney General A. Sudharshan Reddy, the ads have already been removed from metro stations and trains, and the placements were made through official tenders involving L&T, which manages the metro.
What’s Next?
The next hearing in the case against Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) is scheduled for June 30, 2025. At the moment, the blogger’s whereabouts are unknown — according to police, he frequently travels between countries.
Anvesh is no stranger to criticizing online gambling. He has previously created content targeting influencers promoting “banned apps,” making this case particularly high-profile.