“Allegations of ₹508 Crore in Bribes to Chhattisgarh CM by Mahadev App Promoters Unveiled by ED”
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app paid ₹508 crore in bribes to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The ED’s ongoing investigation uncovered a network of benami bank accounts linked to the app and substantial cash seizures, leading to arrests and a court-ordered custodial interrogation.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has revealed that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app allegedly paid bribes totaling ₹508 crore to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The announcement comes as a result of an ongoing investigation into the financial activities associated with the app.
The ED conducted raids in Chhattisgarh on Thursday, targeting money laundering networks connected to the Mahadev online betting app. This investigation was launched under anti-money laundering laws following intelligence suggesting significant cash movements in the poll-bound state. During these operations, the ED intercepted a cash courier, Asim Das, who was allegedly dispatched from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a substantial amount of cash. A total of ₹5.39 crore was seized from Asim Das, both from his vehicle and his residence. The ED shared images of this significant cash seizure on its social media platforms.
As the investigation progressed, the ED uncovered a complex network of benami (anonymous) bank accounts associated with the Mahadev app, amounting to an astounding ₹15.59 crore. These accounts have been frozen as part of the ongoing inquiry. According to the ED, Das confessed that the intercepted funds were intended for delivery to a prominent politician known as ‘Baghel’ to support election expenses in the state. The ED further asserted that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app had made regular payments of approximately ₹508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
In a significant development, the ED also arrested police constable Bheem Yadav, who is believed to have played a key role in the alleged money laundering scheme. The investigation revealed that over the last three years, Yadav had made unauthorized trips to Dubai and admitted to meeting with Ravi Uppal and Sourabh Chandrakar, the primary promoters of the Mahadev app.
Yadav further acknowledged attending high-profile functions hosted by the Mahadev app, with his travel expenses being covered by M/s Rapid Travels, a company responsible for the ticketing operations of the Mahadev app’s promoters, family, business associates, and celebrities.
Both Asim Das and Police Constable Bheem Yadav were presented before a Special Judge in Raipur, where the ED requested their custodial interrogation to corroborate their statements and gather additional evidence related to money laundering. The court subsequently remanded them to ED custody for a period of seven days.
This ongoing investigation sheds light on allegations of bribery, money laundering, and complex financial transactions related to the Mahadev app, implicating prominent figures and raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
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