While Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel remains resolute in his assertion that he initiated the requests to ban the Mahadev App and issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against its promoters, a startling video statement from one of the accused, Shubham Soni, emerged on Sunday, suggesting a different narrative.
Soni, who currently faces allegations of money laundering related to the Mahadev app and is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claimed to be the actual owner of the app. In this compelling video statement, Soni provides a unique perspective on the unfolding events.
Soni, speaking from Dubai, revealed that he established the company behind the Mahadev app in 2021, and initially, the gambling business was thriving. However, as it began to attract increasing attention and arrests of some individuals involved, he felt the need for protection. This is when Soni claimed to have made contact with an individual named Verma, who demanded a monthly protection fee of Rs 10 lakh.
Despite making these payments, Soni's associates continued to be arrested. Frustrated, he approached Verma, who promised to arrange a meeting with a high-profile figure. This meeting, as per Soni's statement, took place with the Chief Minister and another individual. Soni asserted that he has documented this interaction in a written statement provided to the ED.
Following his meeting with the Chief Minister, Soni alleged that he received advice from the chief minister to expand his business in Dubai. In Dubai, he encountered two individuals from Bhilai, Sourabh and Ravi, who were also accused in the Mahadev app case. Soni expressed interest in investing in the real construction business with them.
However, Soni claimed that Chief Minister Baghel subsequently changed his stance and demanded his return to Bhilai when more of Soni's associates faced arrest. Baghel, as per Soni's account, informed him that he had been sent to Dubai to oversee his business, but he unexpectedly became the owner.
"I reached Bhilai, and from there we spoke to Baghel over phone, who said told me that I had sent you to Dubai to see your business and you became the owner," Soni was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
The ED, in a statement released on Friday, disclosed that a forensic analysis and a statement from a 'cash courier' had uncovered astonishing allegations. These allegations pointed to the fact that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app had reportedly paid approximately Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The ED underscored that these allegations are currently under investigation. Furthermore, the ED announced the recovery of Rs 5.39 crore in cash from the courier, identified as Asim Das. It's worth noting that the ED has recently filed a charge sheet in the Mahadev app case, naming a total of 14 accused, including the primary promoters Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal.
This scandal is making headlines at a time when Chhattisgarh is gearing up for a crucial election. The state's 90-member assembly is scheduled for polling on November 7 and 17 in two phases, with the vote count slated for December 3.
(With agency inputs)
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