A significant development unfolded in the Mahadev betting app case as Ravi Uppal, one of its primary promoters, has been apprehended by authorities in Dubai based on a red corner notice issued by Interpol. Sources suggest that Uppal’s extradition to India may occur imminently.
The betting app, reportedly yielding daily profits of ₹200 crore, not only garnered substantial financial gains but also stirred political controversy ahead of Chhattisgarh’s elections in November.
Allegations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed that a cash courier, Asim Das, accused the app’s promoters of offering ₹508 crore to the then Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. However, when produced in court, Das refuted these claims, asserting that he was framed as part of a conspiracy and had never engaged in delivering cash to politicians.
During their investigation, the ED revealed that despite holding a Vanuatu passport, Uppal retained his Indian citizenship while freely moving between countries, including applying for an Australian visa using the aforementioned passport.
Meanwhile, the other app promoter, Sourabh Chandrakar, remains at large despite his extravagant ₹200-crore wedding in Dubai earlier in the year, attended by various Bollywood celebrities. ED officials are actively pursuing efforts to trace his whereabouts.
The ED’s investigation uncovered that Chandrakar and Uppal, originally from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, operated the app from Dubai. Multiple subsidiary betting apps were managed by them and accomplices across India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the UAE, with approximately 30 call centers, including operations in Chhattisgarh.
The substantial transactions, valued at thousands of crores, and a daily profit averaging ₹200 crore were generated by these apps. ED officials alleged their connections with law enforcement, bureaucrats, and politicians, with regular payments made to evade investigative scrutiny.
To date, the ED has arrested six individuals in connection with the case, including Sunil Damani, Anil Damani, Assistant Sub-Inspector Chandrabhushan Verma of the Chhattisgarh Police, a constable, and Satish Chandrakar.
Operations within India were overseen by brothers Anil and Sunil Damani, who managed benami bank accounts for financial transfers. The Damani brothers facilitated cash transfers through hawala channels, and ASI Chandrabhushan Verma was reportedly involved in disbursing bribes to officials.
Interrogation revealed that Anil Damani conducted transactions worth ₹60 to 65 crore via hawala channels at Uppal’s direction. Satish Chandrakar managed call centers and oversaw illegal financial transactions, allegedly having ties to fugitive gangster Tapan Sarkar.
Both Uppal and Sourabh Chandrakar disavowed involvement in the app or betting syndicate, shifting blame onto Shubham Soni, purportedly based in Dubai. The detained courier, caught with ₹5 crore before the Chhattisgarh elections, claimed that Soni provided the funds. Soni released a video alleging that Bhupesh Baghel received ₹508 crore from the app promoters.
ED has summoned Bollywood figures like Ranbir Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, and Kapil Sharma for their association with the app’s advertisements or participation in Chandrakar’s wedding in Dubai.
The ongoing investigation continues to unravel the intricate web of financial irregularities and political entanglements associated with the Mahadev betting app saga.
Sources By Agencies
