Mahadev betting app case registered in Mumbai transferred to crime branch
The Hindu
Mumbai Police Commissioner transfers FIR on alleged ₹15,000 crore cyber fraud linked to Mahadev betting app to crime branch. ED claims ₹508 crore paid to Chhattisgarh CM, BJP releases video of Shubham Soni. Centre bans 22 illegal betting platforms on ED's request; Chhattisgarh police register 75 FIRs.
An FIR registered here pertaining to alleged illegal gambling and cyber fraud worth ₹15,000 crore linked to Mahadev betting app has been transferred to the Mumbai crime branch for investigation, an official said on November 23.
Considering the scope of probe into the case, Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar has transferred it to the crime branch, he said.
The FIR was registered earlier this month at Matunga police station in Mumbai against 32 people, including the "promoter" of the app Saurabh Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal, Shubham Soni and others for allegedly committing the fraud since 2019, police earlier said.
As per the FIR, the accused have defrauded people of nearly ₹15,000 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently claimed a forensic analysis and a statement made by a ‘cash courier’ led to “startling allegations” that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about ₹508 crore to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister so far, and that “these are subject matter of investigation”.
Later, the BJP released a video of Shubham Soni saying he was the owner of the app and had the “proof” of paying ₹508 crore so far to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.
The Chief Minister has rejected the claim.