Mahadev app case: Mumbai Crime Branch makes first arrest in Rs 15,000 cr scam case

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Mumbai Crime Branch has made its first arrest in connection with the Rs 15,000 crore Mahadev app case. The individual who was taken into custody was 27-year-old Dixit Kothari, according to reports on Friday. An FIR that the Matunga Police filed last year served as the first impetus for the inquiry. Later, it was moved to the crime branch, which prompted the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in order to investigate the matter.

The Mahadev Online Book Betting app functioned as a centralised syndicate, enabling illicit betting sites to acquire new members, create user identities, and smuggle funds through complex webs of anonymous bank accounts. Per the guidelines of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the Directorate of Enforcement is following this matter, stated a report in ANI.

According to the report, separately, the other promoter, Ravi Uppal, was arrested a few weeks ago by local authorities in Dubai, and Saurabh Chandrakar, who is thought to be the brains behind the Mahadev app case, had his movements restricted recently by Dubai police.

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The Enforcement Directorate is looking into Uppal for money laundering, amid accusations that he received kickbacks from former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Uppal and Chandrakar were served with Red Corner warnings after being accused of money laundering worth around Rs 6000 crore. Dubai authorities have stated their willingness to transfer Uppal to India, where he is facing charges, the ANI report added.

According to the agency report, the Enforcement Directorate had already identified a lavish wedding held earlier this year in the United Arab Emirates that cost over Rs 200 crore in cash. Chandrakar allegedly rented private jets, flew family members from Nagpur to the UAE, and paid film industry celebrities to perform during this event in Ras Al Khaimah, garnering the attention of the ED.

Both Chandrakar and Uppal, both from Bhilai in Chattisgarh, are identified as the major individuals behind the Mahadev betting platform, with their base of operations based in Dubai, where they have a significant presence, the report added.

The ED conducted 39 raids in Raipur, Bhopal, Mumbai, and Kolkata, confiscating illegal assets totalling Rs 417 crore. The agency is actively conducting investigations on a global scale. Furthermore, the accused have been served with non-bailable warrants by a PMLA special court in Raipur.