Synopsis
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has seized significant digital and documentary evidence in a large-scale investigation into the Mahadev betting app, conducting raids across multiple locations including Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, and Kolkata.Key Takeaways
- CBI has conducted raids at 60 locations.
- Evidence linked to Mahadev Book has been seized.
- Promoters are based in Dubai.
- Senior officials and politicians are implicated.
- Ongoing investigations are expected to uncover more.
Bhopal, March 26 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has successfully retrieved digital and documentary evidence during extensive raids at 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, and Kolkata related to the Mahadev Book - an online gaming platform.
“During the searches, incriminating digital and documentary evidence has been located and taken into custody,” the agency stated on Wednesday.
In its probe into the Mahadev Book online betting scandal, the esteemed investigation agency reported that it is executing searches at 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi, including properties associated with politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officials, key figures of Mahadev Book, and various private individuals suspected of involvement.
“This case involves the illicit operations of Mahadev Book, an online betting platform that is promoted by Ravi Uppal and Saurabh Chandrakar, both of whom are currently residing in Dubai,” the agency elaborated.
Investigations have uncovered that the promoters allegedly disbursed significant sums as protection money to public servants to guarantee the seamless operation of their illegal betting network, it added.
Initially filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Raipur, the case was later handed to the CBI by the Government of Chhattisgarh for a thorough investigation into the conduct of senior public officials and other implicated individuals, the agency confirmed, stating, “Search operations are ongoing.”
A CBI team on Wednesday executed raids at the residences of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others in a broad operation.
The CBI teams reportedly conducted raids in Raipur, Bhilai, and Durg, focusing on individuals, including Baghel’s two special-duty officers, Saumya Chaurasia, MLA Devendra Yadav, KPS School Director Nishant Tripathi, and seven police personnel, among them four IPS officers.
Earlier in the day, the former chief minister's office announced via X that CBI officials had arrived, noting (in Hindi) that Baghel was scheduled to be in Delhi that day for a 'Drafting Committee' meeting ahead of the AICC gathering in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on April 8-9. “However, before he could depart, CBI teams arrived at his residences in Raipur and Bhilai,” the statement read.