Mahadev Betting App Scandal Unveils Connection to Cricket Match-Fixing

The Mumbai Police have reportedly filed a first information report (FIR) against the Mahadev Khiladi app, identified as a subsidiary of the Mahadev app, on charges related to illegal betting.

Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, identified by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as key figures in the betting racket, are now accused of being linked to a match-fixing syndicate through the "subsidiary application'. The syndicate conducts its operations using Bitcoins and has a network that spans multiple cities, encompassing locations such as London, Kolkata, Mumbai, and parts of Chhattisgarh, as per a report in The Times Of India.

According to the Matunga police official, the first information report (FIR) was registered on Tuesday against "app promoter Saurabh Chandrakar", and key accused Ravi Uppal and Shubham Soni and others for committing the fraud since 2019 until now.

The case was registered on the direction of the 30th Kurla court under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (conspiracy), IT Act (for cyber terrorism) and the Gambling Act, the official said.

As per the FIR, the accused have defrauded people of nearly Rs 15,000 crore, PTI reported.

The Enforcement Directorate last week claimed that a forensic analysis and a statement made by a 'cash courier' had led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about Rs 508 crore to the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister so far, and that "these are subject matter of investigation".

On November 5, the Centre issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting platforms, including the Mahadev app and 'Reddyannaprestopro', on ED's request, an official statement said.

The action of banning the 22 illegal betting platforms follows investigations conducted by the ED against an illegal betting app syndicate and subsequent raids in connection with the Mahadev app in Chhattisgarh.

Chandrakar and Uppal, who hail from Bhilai, have relocated to Dubai. They are accused of overseeing the Mahadev Book betting network.