Directorate of Enforcement (ED) received credible inputs and conducted a successful search operations on 2/11/2023 in Chhattisgarh in which Rs 5.39 Crore cash has been intercepted in the poll bound state. ED is investigating Mahadev Book Online Betting APP syndicate in which the promoters of this betting syndicate are sitting abroad and remotely running thousands of panel across India with the help of their friends and associates who are mainly from Chhattisgarh and have earned thousands of crore of proceeds of crime. ED has already arrested 4 accused persons and seized proceeds of crime worth more than Rs 450 Crore and has filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.
ED has conducted search operations on 2/11/2023 against the money laundering networks linked with Mahadev Book Online Betting APP in Chhatishgarh in which Cash of Rs. 5.39 Crore and Bank balance Rs. 15.59 Crore has been intercepted and frozen/ seized. pic.twitter.com/ZItQV2VWOB
— ED (@dir_ed) November 3, 2023
On 2.11.2023, ED received intelligence input that large amount of Cash is being moved in Chhattisgarh by the promoters of Mahadev APP in relation to Assembly Elections scheduled on 7th & 17th of November, 2023. ED conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai and successfully intercepted a Cash Courier Asim Das who was sent from UAE especially, to deliver large amount of Cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party. ED has recovered cash amount of Rs 5.39 Crore (from his Car & at his residence).
Asim Das has admitted that the seized funds were arranged by the Mahadev APP promoters to be delivered to one Politician ‘Baghel’ for upcoming election expenses in state of Chhattisgarh. ED also discovered some benami Bank Accounts of Mahadev APP in which balance amounts of Rs 15.59 Crore has been frozen. ED has arrested Asim Das.
From the questioning of Asim Das, and from the forensic examination of the phone recovered from him, and examination of an email sent by Shubam Soni (one of the high ranking accused of Mahadev network) many startling allegations have come forth, namely, that regular payments have been made in the past and so far around Rs 508 Crore have been paid by Mahadev APP Promoters to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. These are subject matter of investigation.
During further investigation, ED has also questioned and arrested Police Constable Bheem Yadav. ED investigation has revealed that in the last 3 years, Bheem Yadav had unauthorizedly travelled to Dubai, admittedly met Ravi Uppal & Sourabh Chandrakar, participated in the gala functions of Mahadev APP, and his travel expenses were borne by M/s Rapid Travels of Ahuja Brothers – a money laundering & ticketing company of Mahadev APP. He was the conduit to receive bribe money from Mahadev APP promoters for the benefit of Senior Officers & Politicians of Chhattisgarh.
Both the accused persons were produced before the Hon’ble PMLA Special Judge Raipur and ED has sought their custodial interrogation to independently corroborate their startling admissions and to trace evidence of money laundering. The Hon’ble Court has remanded them to ED Custody for 7 days.
Further investigation is under progress.
