Dabur chairman, director booked in Mahadev betting app scam; Burman family dismisses allegations, says FIR false and baseless

On November 5, the Centre issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting platforms, including the Mahadev app and 'Reddyannaprestopro', on ED's request,

Dabur Group chairman Mohit V Burman and Director Gaurav V Burman are among the 32 names included in the FIR of the ongoing Mahadev betting app case lodged by the Mumbai Police, news agency ANI reported on November 14. Among others, Bollywood actor Sahil Khan has also been named.

According to the Matunga police official, the first information report (FIR) was registered on November 8 against "app promoter Saurabh Chandrakar", and key accused Ravi Uppal and Shubham Soni and others for committing the fraud since 2019 until now. The case was registered on the direction of the 30th Kurla court under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (conspiracy), IT Act (for cyber terrorism) and the Gambling Act, the official said. As per the FIR, the accused have defrauded people of nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

Also Read | Mahadev app case: FIR accuses Chandrakar, Uppal of match-fixing through Khiladi app

However, the Burman family spokesperson has vehemently denied such allegations and FIR against the Burman honchos. Calling it a 'mischievous act', Dabur spokesperson told CNBC TV-18, "We have not received any communication on any such FIR. If this information is indeed true, it appears to be a mischievous act driven by malicious intent and is devoid of any facts. We categorically deny the allegations and firmly believe that a thorough investigation will vindicate our position and demonstrate the unfounded nature of these allegations. We trust that the legal process will unveil the true nature of this malicious attempt to tarnish our reputation."

In another statement issued by the Burman Family, they call the FIR false and baseless. "Nothing could be further from the truth than as wrongly stated in the FIR. From a copy of the FIR that is being circulated in the media, we note that allegations are being made that Mr Mohit Burman and Mr Gaurav Burman are directly related to some of the accused. There is an unseen Exhibit F which seems to layout some so called relationships. Mr Mohit Burman and Mr Gaurav Burman do not even know or have ever met the accused mentioned in the FIR being circulated selectively in the media."

"Curiously, the FIR comes at a time when the Burman Family has sought to increase its existing shareholding of 21.24 % in Religare Enterprises and launched a legitimate open offer under the SEBI Takeover Code. As part of this the Burman Family brought to the notice of the Board and the regulators certain governance issues perpetrated by Dr Rashmi Saluja, the current Chairman. This FIR is nothing but a step provoked by vested interests in an attempt to block the acquisition of Religare Enterprises Limited by the Burman Family. The Burman Family remains shocked at these "arm twisting" moves which are grossly illegal. Nevertheless, we remain resolute that we will proceed with our acquisition of Religare Enterprises as contemplated," the statement further read.

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The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is investigating the Mahadev Book Online Betting APP syndicate in which the promoters of this betting syndicate are allegedly sitting abroad and remotely running thousands of panels across India with the help of their friends and associates. According to the ED it has already arrested 4 accused persons and seized proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 450 Crore and has filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.

On November 2 ED received intelligence input that large amount of Cash is being moved in Chhattisgarh by the promoters of Mahadev APP in relation to Assembly Elections scheduled on 7th & 17th of November, 2023. ED conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai and successfully intercepted a Cash Courier Asim Das who was allegedly sent from UAE especially, to deliver large amount of Cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party.

Also Read | Chhattisgarh polls: Congress should reveal how much money CM got in Mahadev app case, says Modi

ED claims that from the questioning of Asim Das, and from the forensic examination of the phone recovered from him, and examination of an email sent by one of the high ranking accused of Mahadev network many startling allegations have come forth, namely, that regular payments have allegedly been made in the past and so far around Rs 508 Crore have been paid by Mahadev APP Promoters to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.