New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on March 26 raided around 60 locations across multiple states in connection with multi-crore alleged Mahadev Book Online betting app scam or Mahadev App scam case.
In the investigation of Mahadev app online betting scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation today is conducting searches at 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book, and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case, said the agency.
Investigations have revealed that the promoters allegedly paid substantial amounts as “protection money” to public servants to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of their illegal betting network, it added.
In the investigation of Mahadev app online betting scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation today is conducting searches at 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key…
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025
Meanwhile Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao has criticised Congress for linking the CBI raid at residence former CM Bhupesh Baghel to politics and stated that the raid by CBI was part of the ongoing probe in the case.
Sao said that central agencies like CBI are independent agencies and never take action on the basis of politics. Sharpening his attacks, he further claimed that several big corruptions took place during the regime of Bhupesh Baghel’s tenure.
Slamming the Congress, the Deputy CM said that every time such actions are taken, Congress links it to politics.
“When Congress was ruling the state and Bhupesh Baghel was the CM, so many big corruptions happened and ED and CBI are continuously probing these corruptions…today, CBI is conducting raids at over 50 various locations in Chhattisgarh. Some IPS officers, other officials and political leaders are also being raided…this CBI action is part of the probe…raid is not happening at the residence of one single person…so many people are being raided, so linking it to politics is not right,” said Sao.
#WATCH | Bilaspur: On CBI raids at former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao says, " When Congress was ruling the state and Bhupesh Baghel was the CM, so many big corruptions happened and ED and CBI are continuously probing these corruptions…today,… pic.twitter.com/L74aUnJ7A6
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025
He added that the “Congress links it to politics every time such an action is being taken… Who was the CM when these scams were taking place? If CBI is investigating, he should support the investigation… These are independent agencies and never take action on political basis. There is no such situation in the country. This probe is going on since long time and isn’t a part of politics. Accusing someone is not right.”
Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches on the residences of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel in a case related to the Mahadev Online Book betting app.
Raipur | CBI raids underway at the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in a case related to the Mahadev betting app https://t.co/MG5m1yLNNR
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025
Reports emerged that other than the former CM, raids are also being conducted at premises linked with two IPS officers, a former IAS officer and an MLA of the Congress party.
According to reports, more than 17 locations linked with officials, suspended policemen, leaders and others have been raided in Chhattisgarh as part of the major crackdown carried out by the agency. Around 100 officials of the agency are said to involve in the raids conducted in the state.
The state government in August last year recommended for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the cases linked to the alleged multi-crore Mahadev Online Book betting app scam in which crime of proceed worth Rs 6000 crore were generated illegally as estimated by Enforcement Directorate (ED).
" महादेव एप प्रकरण की जांच अब CBI करेंगी " pic.twitter.com/NKNLcsewXH
— Vijay sharma (@vijaysharmacg) August 26, 2024
According to ED, the Mahadev Online Book betting app used an online book betting application to enrol new users, create user IDs, and launder money through a string of Benami bank accounts. The application reportedly generated an amount close to Rs 200 crores daily, leading to speculation of accumulation of thousands of crores (around Rs 6000 crore) by the app promoters.
The ED began its probe into the matter after one of the promoters of the app, Saurabh Chandrakar, arranged a lavish wedding in UAE where private jets were used by the accused to ferry the family members from Nagpur. The accused allegedly spent around 250 crores in the wedding ceremony, where a number of Bollywood stars also performed. Later on, it was revealed that the whole amount spent on the wedding was paid entirely in cash.
The investigation further disclosed that Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, are the two main promoters of the Mahadev betting platform. The probe by agency further uncovered alleged Hawala transactions in UAE and Pakistan as well.
EOW began a probe into the matter after registering a fresh FIR (First Information Report) based on ED’s finding in March last year. The anti-corruption bureau in the FIR filed had named former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Bhupesh Baghel along key accused, Saurabh Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal, Subham Soni, Anil Agarwal and others. All the cases registered by the police and other investigative agencies were later transferred to the CBI.
(With inputs from agencies)
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