In a surprising turn of events, Asim Das, the alleged cash courier in the Mahadev betting app scam case, has retracted his previous statement against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel and other politicians. The revelation, made during a court hearing, adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing multi-crore scandal. Das, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), now asserts that he had been framed as part of a conspiracy and vehemently denies ever delivering cash to politicians.
The Mahadev betting app scandal has taken an unexpected twist with the alleged cash courier, Asim Das, retracting his earlier statement against Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel and other politicians. Das, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on November 3 along with constable Bhim Singh Yadav, claims he had been framed and forcefully made to sign a statement in English, a language he does not comprehend.
Das's retraction came during a court hearing, where he expressed that he had never delivered cash to politicians and that he was being implicated in the case as part of a conspiracy. In a letter written from jail to the Director of the ED and other higher authorities, Das stated that he was being wrongly accused and detailed the circumstances leading to his arrest.
This development challenges the foundation of the Mahadev betting app scandal, where the ED had alleged that Das, as a courier, delivered about Rs 508 crore to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The ED claimed that the seized funds were intended for election expenses of the ruling Congress Party.
Das's version contradicts the ED's narrative, as he maintains that he was asked to pick up a car at the Raipur airport, and bags of cash were placed in the vehicle by an unidentified person. Subsequently, Das alleges that he was taken into custody by ED officials, realizing only later that he was being implicated in the scandal.
Chhattisgarh CM Baghel has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the BJP of misusing the ED for political gains. The political landscape in Chhattisgarh is now charged with conflicting narratives, further intensifying the scrutiny on the Mahadev app case.
The Mahadev betting app allowed users to bet in real-time on various games, including cricket, football, and tennis. The ED's investigation revealed a complex network involving money laundering through a series of untraceable bank accounts.
As the controversy unfolds, questions about the credibility of the accusations and the motives behind Das's retraction linger. The Mahadev app scandal, initially triggered by a lavish wedding celebration in the UAE, has now evolved into a high-stakes investigation involving multiple sectors, including politics, entertainment, and business. The retraction by the alleged cash courier adds a layer of intrigue to the already convoluted narrative of the Mahadev betting app scandal.
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