Former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel has been named as one of the accused in the FIR file by CBI in connection to the Mahadev betting app case, according to ANI. Earlier, the CBI conducted searches at 60 locations, including the residence of Baghel, in connection with the alleged Rs 6,000 crore betting app scam.
His name had previously appeared in an FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offenses Wing, raising further concerns regarding his involvement in the case.
The Mahadev Online Book scam is one of India’s biggest illegal betting operations, covering sports events, card games and even Indian elections. The platform allegedly engaged in match-fixing, money laundering via cryptocurrency and manipulating games to ensure hefty profits for its promoters.
The scam operated through a network of websites and private chat groups, luring users via WhatsApp contacts. The bettors were provided separate numbers for deposits and withdrawals, making transactions harder to trace.
The probe began after the ED traced financial transactions linked to a lavish Rs 250 crore wedding in the UAE, organised by Mahadev app co-founder Sourabh Chandrakar. This event raised suspicions of hawala operations and overseas money laundering.
Sourabh Chandrakar (28) and Ravi Uppal (43), both originally from Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai, are believed to be the key players behind the Mahadev betting empire. Having operated from Dubai, they are accused of amassing nearly Rs 6,000 crore through illegal betting.
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