The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned Bengali film actor Ankush Hazra in connection with an alleged betting app scam, at its headquarters in New Delhi, a day after its officials interrogated former Trinamool Congress MP and actor Mimi Chakraborty for nine hours in the case.

The central agency’s ongoing investigation into the alleged scam has expanded, with back-to-back questioning of several high-profile figures, including cricketers and prominent Bengali film actors.

The ED, officials said, is seeking to unravel the financial trail behind the promotion of these betting apps, specifically looking into the payments received by celebrities for endorsements, and whether they were aware of the illegal status of these platforms.

It is also enquiring if these celebrities conducted background checks on the companies before signing endorsement deals.

The ED’s action comes as part of a wider crackdown on illegal betting platforms accused of duping people of crores of rupees, and evading taxes. The development has ignited a political debate in Bengal, with the BJP and the ruling TMC blaming each other.

Union Minister of State for Education and former BJP state chief Sukanta Majumdar claimed that the ED’s actions were exposing a “syndicate” that uses Tollywood (Bengali film industry) to launder black money.

In a sharp retort, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh mocked the ED, suggesting the agency was acting as “an impromptu publicist for the actors”.

“These interrogations seem like film promotion, especially given Hazra’s role in the film Raktabeej. It is a legal matter if someone is being called for interrogation. But the way Mimi and Ankush (Hazra), who plays the villain’s role in the same film, are being interrogated looks like a movie promotion is on.”

Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said, “ED officials definitely have some information for which they are interrogating these celebrities. Those who are being questioned can fight it in court if they feel injustice is being done to them. The ED is a central agency. They don’t call anyone without primary investigation. It’s not like the CID who receive a call from (Chief Minister) Mamata (Banerjee) and (TMC general secretary) Abhishek (Banerjee) and arrest someone.”