On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court dismissed Khan’s pre-arrest bail plea. Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner (JCP), Mumbai Crime Branch, said on Sunday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has arrested actor and infamous fitness influencer Sahil Khan from Chhattisgarh in the Mahadev betting app case. Actor Sahil Khan was presented in a court at Dadar, which remanded him to police custody till May 1.
What is Mahadev Betting Scam?
Mahadev betting app is an online scam in which people give money to bet on sports such as cricket and football. It has a total collection of 1500 cr. Mahadev betting app owner Sourabh Chandrakar, 28, and Ravi Uppal, 43, are considered the heart of the operations that have amassed around Rs 6,000 crore through the illegal betting app. Both were born in Bhilai in Chhattisgarh but have been based in Dubai for nearly two years.
Mahadev Betting App Owner Net Worth
Vast amounts of cash were allegedly laundered through hawala channels to Dubai, from where they were allegedly running the operations of the Mahadev Book App from Dubai with the help of gangster Dawood Ibrahim’s gang. Doing their odd jobs to raise funds, the duo has amassed a fortune worth more than Rs 6,000 crore from the app.
The Mahadev betting app scam is back in the news after the Centre blocked orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including platforms like Mahadev Book Online and Reddyannaprestopro. In his statement, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar cited inaction by the Bhupesh Baghel-led Chhattisgarh government against illegal activities via the betting app. Chandrasekhar’s statement came after a key accused in the case claimed and alleged that Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel encouraged him to set up his gambling business in Dubai when he approached him for help regarding the arrest of his associates in Bhilai.
The main accused of this case, Shubham Soni, claimed he was made to pay Rs 508 crore to the Chief Minister. The ED claimed that it recorded an email statement of a ‘cash courier’, who revealed that Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel allegedly received Rs 508 crore from the app’s promoters—Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal—based in the UAE.
How was the fraud carried out?
The software for the Mahadev app was initially developed in Hyderabad, and then further development was undertaken by foreign developers. In the early days, Chandrakar and Uppal travelled from Hyderabad to Bilaspur. The IDs and software created in Hyderabad would be given to panel operators for betting-related activities.
The betting activity would be shown in a video game format. Here, the money won would be shown as points and not money to mask the betting clause, according to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet in the case. Later, a link was shared with the users to collect the money won.
The ED, i.e. Enforcement Directorate, launched a massive operation against the Mahadev Book app and arrested four people, including a police assistant sub-inspector with alleged connections to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s political advisor. ASI Chandrabhushan Verma, who worked as a liaison for Mahadev, set up a trading company where he traded in everything from food to automobiles.
The Mahadev Book App operates through several websites that advertise contact numbers on portals to entice people into betting.
FAQ
What is the Mahadev betting app?
Mahadev betting app is an online scam in which people give money to bet on sports such as cricket and football. It has a total collection of 1500 cr. Mahadev betting app owner Sourabh Chandrakar, 28, and Ravi Uppal, 43, are the operations’ heart.
Who is the owner of Mahadev book betting?
Mahadev betting app owners are Sourabh Chandrakar, aged 28, and Ravi Uppal, aged 43.
Is Mahadev illegal betting?
Yes, In India, any betting is considered illegal according to Indian laws. Online IPL betting is considered a colossal fraud.
What games are betting on Mahadev online?
The company’s ownership lies with Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who allegedly provided online avenues for illegal betting on live games, including cricket, tennis, badminton, poker, and card games. Their illegal operation has been active for the past four years.
