Mahadev Betting App Saga
On Sunday, the Central government issued directives to block 22 illicit betting applications and websites, notably including Mahadev Book Online, at the behest of the Enforcement Directorate. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology confirmed this action following an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into an unlawful betting app syndicate, focusing particularly on Mahadev Book, based in Chhattisgarh, which exposed the app’s illegal operations.
The Ministry’s statement disclosed that Bhim Singh Yadav, working as a Constable in the Chhattisgarh Police force, along with Asim Das, are presently under arrest, accused under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for engaging in money laundering offenses under Section 3, which is punishable under Section 4 of PMLA, 2002.
Notably, these actions by the Centre come in the wake of accusations against Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of purportedly receiving significant monetary kickbacks from betting operators to support the party’s campaign. However, both the Chief Minister and the Congress party have strongly refuted these allegations.
The Enforcement Directorate claimed that a combination of a forensic analysis and a statement from a ‘cash courier’ revealed “startling allegations” suggesting that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app have purportedly paid approximately Rs 508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel. The investigative authorities have confirmed that these claims are under active scrutiny.
One of the accused individuals, 38-year-old Asim Das, was apprehended by the agency in Raipur after the recovery of a substantial amount of cash totaling Rs 5.39 crore from him. The ED alleges that he was dispatched by the app promoters from the UAE with the explicit purpose of delivering considerable amounts of cash for election-related expenses of the ruling Congress party.
The situation is rife with allegations and ongoing investigations, underscoring the gravity of the accusations made against the betting app and its purported involvement in funding political activities. The actions taken by the Central government in response to these allegations, particularly the accusations against a senior political figure, accentuate the significance of the ongoing investigations and the ramifications it might have on both political and legal landscapes.
The Chhattisgarh government possessed the authority to propose the closure of a website or app under Section 69A of the IT Act. However, they refrained from exercising this power, and the state government did not make any such request despite conducting an investigation for the past 18 months. Notably, the sole request received was from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and this particular request was promptly acknowledged and acted upon. Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar highlighted that there were no impediments preventing the Chhattisgarh government from initiating similar requests, emphasizing their conspicuous absence in this matter.