Mahadev Betting Scam: Ranbir Kapoor Summoned by ED
Celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor and Hina Khan summoned in the Mahadev betting app case involving illegal betting, hawala, and links to Pakistan.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a big action in the Mahadev Betting Scam case. ED has issued a summons to actors Ranbir Kapoor, Hina Khan, Urvashi Rautela, Huma Qureshi, and Kapil Sharma for questioning.
What is Mahadev betting app case?
The app is allegedly run by Dubai-based Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. An investigation into 28-year-old Sourabh Chandrakar was triggered by his extravagant Rs 250-crore wedding in the UAE in February 2023. The entire payment for the event was paid in cash. This drew the attention of the after which investigators discovered the details of alleged hawala operations and their ties in the UAE and Pakistan. The ED has combined at least seven FIRs filed by the victims of the scam who lost their money. The FIRs were filed across locations, including Goa, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad and Chhattisgarh. The Mahadev app enabled illegal betting on various online games like poker, teen patti, virtual cricket games badminton, tennis, football, and cricket. The company operates from Dubai where betting is legal, however, it's illegal in India. Surprisingly, till a few years ago, Sourabh Chandrakar had been running a juice shop in Bhilai's Nehru Nagar, while Ravi Uppal owned a tyre shop. Investigators said both became addicted to gambling. With whatever savings they had, the two men went to Dubai and met a Sheik and a Pakistani national, who eventually worked together to open the Mahadev online betting app. Soon, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal made a 'name' for themselves in the betting world. Chandrakar’s company allegedly gained around Rs 5,000 crore through the scam. They earn a whopping ? 200 crore every day. On the App, there is a WhatsApp number, through which potential users are directed to a call center. The call center then forwards the user's information to a panel operator, who guides the person in opening an account, placing bets, and receiving money. Call centers managing potential customer inquiries are located in Nepal, the UAE, and Sri Lanka. The probe further revealed that there are approximately 4,000-5,000 panel operators, primarily located in Chhattisgarh, Mumbai, and Delhi. The profit-sharing ratio between the founders of the Mahadev app and panel operators stands at 70:30, while the ratio between customers and the app is 60:40. These have been active for the last four years. Owners of the Mahadev online betting app are believed to have links in Pakistan. The ED has already raided several premises related to hawala operators across cities in India and attached Rs 417 crore. During a recent raid in Mumbai, the ED also tracked seven hawala kingpins who allegedly laundered the money. Chandrakar and his associates allegedly used at least 70 shell companies to launder money to offshore accounts. Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal are hiding abroad. Several Bollywood stars, who attended or performed at Chandrakar’s wedding in February this year and the company’s success party in September last year, are under the ED scanner. Media reports claim that these stars allegedly accepted a huge amount of cash as payment for attending or performing at the wedding. The money is the proceeds of the crime and the stars are liable for taking the money. Ranbir Kapoor was called to understand his knowledge of the source of the money that he received for the promotion of the betting app. The investigation has also uncovered that the Mahadev app founders operate 4-5 similar apps in India and have launched a similar app in Pakistan. The Enforcement Directorate suspects the involvement of around 12 A-list film celebrities from Bollywood, Tollywood, and other regional film industries, as well as some sports personalities, in promoting the app and accepting payments in cash. Additionally, about 100 social media influencers are also suspected of promoting the Mahadev app and accepting proceeds of crime as payment. Politicians are also under the ED's radar, as the agency recently questioned Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bagel's advisor and two of the CM's associates in connection with the case.
