Chhattisgarh government has transferred the cases related to the alleged Mahadev betting app scam, involving Congress’s Bhupesh Baghel, to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
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Cases have been registered under various sections, including cheating and forgery. (File photo)
Raipur , UPDATED: Aug 26, 2024 22:06 IST
In Short
- Mahadev bettting app ‘scam’ valued at Rs 6,000 crore
- FIR against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel
- ED probing linked money laundering cases
The BJP-led Chhattisgarh government has handed over the investigation of the high-profile Mahadev betting app ‘scam’, valued at a staggering Rs 6,000 crore, to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The state government issued a notification last week, formally authorising the CBI to take over the investigation.
“The CBI will now take charge of this investigation with the utmost seriousness. There will be no leniency whatsoever in this matter, and I believe that strict action will be taken, including efforts to bring back those involved who are currently abroad,” Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said.
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The alleged scam was a central issue in the BJP’s campaign for the Lok Sabha elections, with significant attention drawn to the FIR, which names prominent figures, including former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, among others.
Notably, the Enforcement Directorate has been probing money laundering cases linked to the Mahadev app scam, which came to light when the Baghel-led Congress government was in power, for more than a year.
“70 cases related to the alleged Mahadev app scam were lodged at different police stations in Chhhattisgarh and one case is with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). We have decided to hand over all these cases to the CBI and a notification has been issued,” Sharma said.
Sharma also said that the case is a multi-state matter and not restricted to Chhattisgarh, adding that some kingpins are based in foreign countries. “No leniency will be shown and strict action will be taken. I believe (accused persons) based abroad will be brought back,” Sharma added.
Cases have been registered under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery of valuable security and others. So far, the ED has arrested 11 persons in connection with the ‘scam’ with the projected proceeds of crime estimated at Rs 6,000 crore.
Apart from Baghel, promoters of Mahadev betting app – Ravi Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni, and Anil Kumar Agrawal – have also been named as accused in the alleged scam.
Baghel, however, denied all the allegations levelled against him and called the FIR “politically motivated”.
