<p>In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party.</p>

<p>Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel was earlier accused of receiving Rs 508 crore&nbsp; Indian rupees from the promoters of the Mahadev Online app.</p>

<h2><strong>ED’s investigation against betting syndicate</strong></h2>

<p>The action by the Government of India comes hot on the heels of an ongoing investigation by India’s prime economic intelligence agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against the illegal betting app syndicate.</p>

<p>So far, the ED has arrested four persons and seized assets worth over Rs 450 crore in proceeds of crime.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;India: New Delhi air quality 'severe', East Delhi air quality breaches 999 mark</strong></p>

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<p>The agency has also filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.</p>

<h2><strong>State vs centre&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the central government had “finally woken up from its sleep,” while reacting to the development.</p>

<p>“I have been asking this for months as to why this app was not being banned. I had even said that maybe the greed of getting 28% GST has made the government not ban the app or the BJP and app operators have made a deal,” he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I feel amazed that for months the ED had been probing this app but still it was operational. Now that app is banned, its operators in Dubai should be arrested soon. Chhattisgarh Police was the first to issue a look out circular against them (app promoters),” said the CM.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-extends-free-food-grains-program-to-tackle-rising-cereal-prices-report-655659"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;India extends free food grain programme to tackle rising cereal prices: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>He also implied that Chhattisgarh Police wanted to question them because the first FIR against them was registered in his state only.</p>

<p>However, a union minister later fired back at the CM for not doing enough to shut down the app using powers given to states under the Information Technology Act.</p>

<p>Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement said, “The Chhattisgarh government had all the power to recommend shutting down the (Mahadev) website and app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the state government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.”</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites. One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party.

In a major crackdown on illegal betting syndicates, India on Sunday (Nov 5) issued blocking orders for 22 apps and websites. One of the banned apps is Mahadev Online betting platform, which has also been at the centre of a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due next month and which is ruled by the opposition Congress party. Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel was earlier accused of receiving Rs 508 crore Indian rupees from the promoters of the Mahadev Online app. ED’s investigation against betting syndicate The action by the Government of India comes hot on the heels of an ongoing investigation by India’s prime economic intelligence agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), against the illegal betting app syndicate. So far, the ED has arrested four persons and seized assets worth over Rs 450 crore in proceeds of crime. Watch: India: New Delhi air quality 'severe', East Delhi air quality breaches 999 mark × The agency has also filed a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons. State vs centre CM Bhupesh Baghel said that the central government had “finally woken up from its sleep,” while reacting to the development. “I have been asking this for months as to why this app was not being banned. I had even said that maybe the greed of getting 28% GST has made the government not ban the app or the BJP and app operators have made a deal,” he said. “I feel amazed that for months the ED had been probing this app but still it was operational. Now that app is banned, its operators in Dubai should be arrested soon. Chhattisgarh Police was the first to issue a look out circular against them (app promoters),” said the CM. Also read: India extends free food grain programme to tackle rising cereal prices: Report He also implied that Chhattisgarh Police wanted to question them because the first FIR against them was registered in his state only. However, a union minister later fired back at the CM for not doing enough to shut down the app using powers given to states under the Information Technology Act. Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement said, “The Chhattisgarh government had all the power to recommend shutting down the (Mahadev) website and app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the state government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.” (With inputs from agencies)

India blocks 22 illegal betting apps and websites amidst political chaos in poll-bound state

<p>The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently summoned several prominent Bollywood figures, including comedian Kapil Sharma and actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan, for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Mahadev betting app case. The news was reported by news agency PTI. This development follows the earlier summons issued to Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who has requested a two-week extension before appearing for questioning.</p>

<p>The ED has requested these actors to appear at its regional office in Raipur on different dates. The purpose of these summons is to record their statements under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and gain insights into the mode and flow of payments allegedly received by them from the app's promoters.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ranbir-kapoor-summoned-by-ed-in-relation-to-an-online-betting-app-case-642661">Ranbir Kapoor summoned by ED in relation to online betting app case&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<p>It is important to note that these actors are not necessarily accused in the case but are believed to have been associated with the Mahadev app in various capacities. Some of them reportedly endorsed the app, while others were involved in entertaining guests at a wedding of one of the app's promoters held abroad.</p>

<p>PTI sources indicate that Kapoor's summons may be just the beginning, as approximately 14-15 other celebrities and actors are also reportedly under the ED's scrutiny in connection with this case. These individuals are expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future.</p>

<p>The Mahadev betting app case revolves around allegations of money laundering and illegal betting operations. The company behind the app, promoted by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, was reportedly operating from Dubai. It is alleged that the app was used to enrol new users, create IDs, and launder money through a network of benami bank accounts.</p>

<p>The ED's investigation has revealed that the Mahadev Online Book App operated from a central head office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and franchised "Panel/Branches" to associates on a 70-30 profit-sharing ratio. Large-scale hawala operations were allegedly employed to transfer the proceeds of betting to offshore accounts. Moreover, significant cash expenditures were incurred in India for advertising betting websites to attract new users and franchise seekers.</p>

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently summoned several prominent Bollywood figures, including comedian Kapil Sharma and actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan, for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Mahadev betting app case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently summoned several prominent Bollywood figures, including comedian Kapil Sharma and actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan, for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the Mahadev betting app case. The news was reported by news agency PTI. This development follows the earlier summons issued to Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor, who has requested a two-week extension before appearing for questioning. The ED has requested these actors to appear at its regional office in Raipur on different dates. The purpose of these summons is to record their statements under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and gain insights into the mode and flow of payments allegedly received by them from the app's promoters. Also Read | Ranbir Kapoor summoned by ED in relation to online betting app case It is important to note that these actors are not necessarily accused in the case but are believed to have been associated with the Mahadev app in various capacities. Some of them reportedly endorsed the app, while others were involved in entertaining guests at a wedding of one of the app's promoters held abroad. PTI sources indicate that Kapoor's summons may be just the beginning, as approximately 14-15 other celebrities and actors are also reportedly under the ED's scrutiny in connection with this case. These individuals are expected to be summoned for questioning in the near future. The Mahadev betting app case revolves around allegations of money laundering and illegal betting operations. The company behind the app, promoted by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, was reportedly operating from Dubai. It is alleged that the app was used to enrol new users, create IDs, and launder money through a network of benami bank accounts. The ED's investigation has revealed that the Mahadev Online Book App operated from a central head office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and franchised "Panel/Branches" to associates on a 70-30 profit-sharing ratio. Large-scale hawala operations were allegedly employed to transfer the proceeds of betting to offshore accounts. Moreover, significant cash expenditures were incurred in India for advertising betting websites to attract new users and franchise seekers. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kapil Sharma, Hina Khan, Huma Qureshi summoned by ED in betting app case

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India blocks 22 illegal betting apps and websites amidst political chaos in poll-bound state

Kapil Sharma, Hina Khan, Huma Qureshi summoned by ED in betting app case