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LUCKNOW: Anurag Dwivedi, a self-styled cricket “influencer” on YouTube from UP’s Unnao who is facing ED’s money-laundering cases for alleged ties to illegal betting platforms, flew over 130 guests to Dubai for his Nov 25 destination wedding aboard Queen Elizabeth-II cruise.The case has drawn intense public and official scrutiny after details emerged of crores being spent on the celebrations ahead of Dwivedi’s wedding to UP’s Tamanna following a 12-year relationship.Dwivedi, holed up in Dubai since the cases started three years ago, has over 2.3 million followers and projects himself as “face of fantasy cricket,” often emphasising his middle-class roots. ED has conducted searches in UP and Delhi, frozen bank accounts, seized cash, and impounded luxury vehicles – including a Lamborghini and a Merc – from Dwivedi’s Unnao home. Sources said the assets linked to him are estimated at Rs 20 crore.Many of the over 130 wedding guests travelled abroad last month for the first time. They were all flown on five flights, with Dwivedi bearing the cost of travel, visas, hotels, meals, and sightseeing. He got passports issued to the guests who didn’t have one.According to sources, spending averaged around Rs 90,000 to Rs 1 lakh per guest on travel and lodging alone – over Rs 1.3 crore. The guests were given luxury accommodation across more than 25 hotel rooms, dedicated transport, and sightseeing tours to landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Creek.Wedding festivities on the cruise’s open deck featured live performances by a prominent Bollywood playback singer and actor.Dwivedi has been issued multiple summons but failed to appear before ED. The agency has arrested three of his alleged associates. ED probe has revealed that Dwivedi helped promote the betting platforms and funneled some of the money received into real estate investments in Dubai through hawala channels.
