The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a significant step in the Mahadev online betting app case by filing its first chargesheet. The federal agency has named 14 accused in the case, including the promoter of the Mahadev betting app, Sourabh Chandrakar, and his associate, Ravi Uppal. The chargesheet was filed at a special court in Raipur under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). In its submission to the court, the ED revealed that it has provisionally attached ₹41 crore worth of proceeds of crime, a figure that could ultimately exceed ₹6,000 crore.
Key Details of the Case:
The Mahadev betting app case has gained notoriety for its alleged involvement in illegal betting activities and money laundering. The ED has accused the app of operating by franchising “Panel/Branches” to known associates on a 70-30 profit-sharing ratio. It is claimed that the app used the online book betting platform to recruit new users, create IDs, and launder money through a complex network of benami (anonymous) bank accounts. The application offered online casino and betting services, activities that are either illegal in India or subject to strict government oversight.
The accused in the ED’s first chargesheet include:
- Sourabh Chandrakar
- Ravi Uppal
- Vikas Chapariya
- Chandrabhushan Verma
- Satish Chandrakar (Sourabh Chandrakar’s brother)
- Anil Dammani
- Sunil Dammani
- Vishal Ahuja
- Dheeraj Ahuja
- Punaram Verma
- Shiv Kumar Verma
- Punaram Verma
- Yashoda Verma
- Pawan Nathani
The involvement of celebrities in the promotion of the Mahadev betting app has also drawn attention. Actors like Ranbir Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Hina Khan, and comedian Kapil Sharma were summoned by the central agency for their connection to the app. Kapil Sharma was reportedly summoned to attend a lavish success party for the app in Dubai.
The wedding of Sourabh Chandrakar, the app’s founder, made headlines for its extravagant spending, with an estimated cost of ₹200 crore. The event took place in Dubai and featured the arrival of family members on private jets from India and the presence of celebrities like Tiger Shroff, Sunny Leone, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Asgar, and Vishal Dadlani.
The ED’s chargesheet marks a significant development in the ongoing case, shedding light on the alleged illegal activities associated with the Mahadev betting app and the prominent individuals involved.
The ED’s investigation will continue as it seeks to uncover the full extent of the illegal betting operation and any potential money laundering activities associated with it. The case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences faced by individuals and entities engaged in unlawful betting and money laundering schemes in India.
