In a recent development, as many as 34 Bollywood celebrities, spanning actors, singers, and dancers, are now under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) due to their potential involvement in the Mahadev Betting scam case. Republic TV disclosed the list of celebrity names on Friday, shedding light on this ongoing scandal.
Probe Initiated Following Ranbir Kapoor's Summons
The Mahadev Online Book App grabbed headlines when actor Ranbir Kapoor, who featured in its advertisements, was summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate. Subsequently, four other prominent figures, namely Shraddha Kapoor, Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and Heena Khan, also faced ED inquiries. These developments unfolded as the ED continued its investigation into the Mahadev Betting scam.
Celebrity Attendance at Extravagant Wedding Raises Eyebrows
The ED's investigation unveiled that numerous Bollywood celebrities, including actors, singers, and dancers, attended the opulent 200-crore wedding ceremony of Saurabh Chandrakar, the accused owner of the Mahadev Betting App. This lavish event took place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February 2023. Notable attendees included Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Asgar, Vishal Dadlani, Tiger Shroff, Elli AvrRam, Bharti Singh, Sunny Leone, Bhagyashree, Kriti Kharbanda, Neha Kakkar, Nushrratt Bharuccha, and Krushna Abhishek.
ED Allegations of Illicit Funds
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that attending Bollywood celebrities received substantial payments for their promotional activities, with these funds reportedly originating from the proceeds of criminal activity. This revelation has further fueled the ED's multi-crore scam investigation. The ED's extensive investigation has identified Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal as key suspects in the Mahadev Betting scam. Both individuals are from Chhattisgarh's Bhilai and serve as proprietors of the Mahadev Online Book Betting application. This platform allegedly operates as an umbrella syndicate, facilitating illegal betting websites.
Significantly, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at 39 locations across Raipur, Bhopal, Mumbai, and Kolkata, all linked to the Mahadev betting app. During these operations, the agency successfully seized a substantial haul of assets, including gold bars, jewelry, and cash, with a total worth of Rs 417 crore.
Cash-Heavy Wedding Sparks Scrutiny
The Mahadev Online Book app initially came under the ED's scrutiny due to a lavish Rs 200-crore wedding held in the UAE in February. What caught the authorities' attention was the fact that the entire expenditure for this extravagant event was conducted in cash. Sourabh Chandrakar, a promoter of the online betting platform, tied the knot in Ras Al-Khaimah, with reports suggesting private jets were chartered to ferry family members and Bollywood celebrities who graced the occasion with their performances.
Money Laundering and Hawala Channels
In September, the ED publicly disclosed details of its investigation into the online money laundering case linked to the Mahadev Online Book betting app. The agency's investigation revealed that wedding planners, dancers, decorators, and other service providers were sourced from Mumbai, and hawala channels were employed to facilitate cash payments. In a statement, the Enforcement Directorate remarked, "Sudden and illegal riches are being openly flaunted by them," as reported by news agency ANI.
Share
Tweet
