In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to prominent actors Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and Hina Khan in connection with the ongoing Mahadev betting app case. This significant turn of events comes swiftly on the heels of fellow actor Ranbir Kapoor being summoned for questioning on October 6th. The scrutiny of the online betting platform began earlier this year after a grandiose ₹200 crore wedding event held in the UAE, featuring celebrity performances.
Investigative officials have revealed that the Mahadev Online Book Betting app served as an umbrella syndicate facilitating the operations of illegal betting websites. It enabled the enrollment of new users, the creation of user IDs, and the laundering of money through an intricate network of benami bank accounts. The company, led by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, is believed to have operated out of Dubai while allegedly paying bribes to senior government officials for “protection.”
The ED has undertaken extensive raids, spanning 39 locations, and has successfully seized illegal assets worth a staggering ₹417 crore in connection with this complex case. A PMLA special court in Raipur has also issued non-bailable warrants against several suspects.
Moreover, Chandrakar’s opulent wedding celebration in Ras Al-Khaimah, entirely funded with cash, attracted the ED’s attention earlier this year. It is believed that private jets were chartered to transport family members from Nagpur to the UAE, and celebrities were hired for performances. Payments for various services were reportedly made through hawala channels in cash.
According to sources, Ranbir Kapoor and other celebrities from the film and sports industries are suspected of engaging in promotional activities for the Mahadev betting app.
The Enforcement Directorate has affirmed its identification of major players involved in the money laundering operations, and last month, four individuals were arrested during searches in Chhattisgarh, including the chief liaison officer of the betting syndicate.
These unfolding developments shed light on the intricate web of illegal activities surrounding the Mahadev betting app, with the ED leaving no stone unturned in its pursuit of justice.
