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The arrest of Saurabh Chandrakar, a key figure behind the Mahadev betting app, reveals a complex network of money laundering and corruption that spanned across India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Chandrakar, who once ran a juice shop in his hometown of Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, transformed into a millionaire through the illicit operations of the app. The app, which facilitated online betting, generated enormous profits that were systematically funneled through a sophisticated system involving corrupt officials, hawala transactions, and benami accounts.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), investigating the case, uncovered a deep-rooted nexus involving Chandrakar, his co-promoter Ravi Uppal, and two brothers, Sunil and Anil Damani. The Damani brothers, close associates of the promoters, played a crucial role in managing the app's proceeds. They established numerous benami accounts, rerouted money through hawala channels, and bribed police, politicians, and bureaucrats to ensure the app's operations remained under the radar. Anil Damani confessed to facilitating transactions worth Rs 60-65 crore through hawala on Uppal's behalf, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The investigation revealed a significant connection to Bollywood as well. Chandrakar's lavish wedding in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, reportedly cost Rs 200 crore, with numerous Hindi film celebrities flown in by chartered flights. These celebrities, who allegedly received crores in payment through hawala, performed at the wedding, further linking the betting app to the entertainment industry. The ED has included all the actors present at the wedding in the scope of its investigation, including Ranbir Kapoor, who is accused of promoting a sporting app linked to Mahadev.
The Mahadev betting app case underscores the pervasiveness of organized crime in India. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation in cracking down on transnational criminal networks. It also raises serious concerns about the role of corrupt officials in facilitating illegal activities. The investigation's focus on Bollywood celebrities further raises questions about the extent to which the entertainment industry is entangled with illicit financial networks.
Source: Juice Seller To Millionaire Scammer: Mahadev Betting App Accused's Empire