New Delhi [India], April 6 (HBTV): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has named former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel as one of the accused in the Mahadev Betting App case.
The CBI on Tuesday made public its First Information Report (FIR) related to the Mahadev online betting app case.
According to the FIR, a total of 21 people have been named as accused, including Ravi Uppal, Shubham Soni (Pintu), Chandra Bhushan Verma, Assem Das, Satish Chandrakar, Nitish Deewan, Saurabh Chandrakar, Anil Agarwal (Atul Agarwal), Vikas Chhapriya, Rohit Gaulati, Vishal Ahuja, Dheeraj Ahuja, Anil Kumar Dammani, Sunil Kumar Dammani, Bhim Singh Yadav, Harishankar Tibrewal, Surendra Bagi, Suraj Chokhani, and two unknown persons, including a police officer.
The CBI has charged the accused under Sections 120(B), 420, 467, and 468 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC); Sections 11, 7, 8, and 4 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2002; and Section 4(A) of the Public Gambling Act.
In connection with the case, the CBI has conducted searches at more than 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.
Earlier, on March 26, the investigative agency conducted a 14-hour search at the residence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, during which three mobile phones were seized.
Speaking to mediapersons, Baghel stated that the CBI had visited his residence for the second time in 15 days and had conducted raids not only in Durg but also at several other locations across India. He stressed that despite taking strict action against the Mahadev Betting App, key accused Saurabh Chandrakar had not been arrested, even though a lookout circular had been issued.
Baghel alleged that the raids were politically motivated, intended to provide material for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech ahead of his visit on March 30.
He further stated, ‘Fifteen days ago, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had conducted a thorough raid and questioned what more the CBI could uncover now.’ He also revealed that the CBI had taken original documents from his residence and, despite his request, did not provide photocopies. He claimed that timely action could have allowed him to submit the required documents.
On March 27, Baghel alleged that the central government had not taken any action against the Mahadev betting app.
Addressing a press conference, Baghel accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of giving patronage to the betting app. He further stated that the central government had made it clear that anyone taking action against the app would face consequences.
‘Modi and Shah are giving patronage to the Mahadev betting app. The government of India has also made clear that if anyone takes action against the app, they will face action. With this, they have made it clear that they don't want to take action against the betting app,’ he said.
He also alleged that cash worth crores of rupees recovered from a vehicle belonged to a BJP leader.
The FIR, originally received on March 4, 2024, alleges that Mahadev Online Book is operating betting services illegally. The complaint also alleges that other websites are being run in association with the promoters of the Mahadev betting app, including Skyexchange, which is allegedly being operated by Hari Shankar Tibrewal in association with Mahadev Online Book.
The complaint states that the Mahadev platform provides illegal betting services in various live games, including poker, card games, games of chance, and sports betting. The app rose to prominence during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2019–2020.
(ANI)