In a significant development leading up to the critical Assembly elections, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) made a startling revelation on Friday, alleging that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel received a substantial sum of Rs 508 crore from the backers of Mahadev Online Book promoters.
The ED claimed that it had received reliable information and successfully carried out search operations in Chhattisgarh on November 2, during which they intercepted a staggering Rs 5.39 crore in cash in the election-bound state, news agency IANS reported.
According to the ED, on the preceding day, they received intelligence indicating the movement of a substantial amount of cash in Chhattisgarh by the promoters of Mahadev APP in connection with the Assembly Elections scheduled for November 7 and 17.
The agency claimed, "ED conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai and successfully intercepted cash courier Asim Das who was sent from UAE especially, to deliver large amount of cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress."
"ED has recovered cash amount of Rs 5.39 crore from his car and at his residence. Das has admitted that the seized funds were arranged by the Mahadev APP promoters to be delivered to one politician 'Baghel' for upcoming election expenses in state of Chhattisgarh," the agency said.
The ED further revealed that they had uncovered some benami (anonymous) bank accounts associated with the Mahadev APP, with frozen balances totaling Rs 15.59 crore. As a result, Das was placed under arrest.
The financial probe agency stated, "From the questioning of Das, and from the forensic examination of the phone recovered from him, and examination of an email sent by Shubam Soni, one of the high ranking accused of Mahadev network, many startling allegations have come forth, namely, that regular payments have been made in the past and so far around Rs 508 crore have been paid by Mahadev APP promoters to Baghel."
The ED clarified that these allegations are the subject of ongoing investigation.
Das was identified as the intermediary used to receive bribe money from Mahadev APP promoters on behalf of senior officers and politicians in Chhattisgarh. Both accused individuals were presented before the PMLA Special Judge in Raipur, and the ED has requested their custody for seven days to independently validate their admissions and trace evidence of money laundering.
The ED's investigation revolves around the Mahadev Book Online Betting APP syndicate, in which the promoters of this betting syndicate operate remotely from abroad, managing numerous panels across India with the assistance of their local friends and associates, primarily from Chhattisgarh, and amassing substantial proceeds of illegal activities.
The agency has already apprehended four individuals and seized illicit proceeds exceeding Rs 450 crore, subsequently filing a prosecution complaint against 14 accused individuals.
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