The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made its first FIR (First Information Report) public in connection with the Mahadev online betting app case. The complaint alleges that the app is illegally operating betting services in live games like Poker and sports betting.
The report names 21 people as accused, including former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. The agency also conducted a 14-hour search at the former CM’s residence on March 26, which resulted in three confiscated phones. Bhagel claims the move is politically motivated, suggesting that the search was orchestrated before Prime Minister Modi’s speed ahead of his March 30 Chhattisgarh visit.
Other accused include Anil Agarwal (Atul Agarwal) Vikas Chhapriya, Anil Kumar Dammani, Assem Das, Bhim Singh Yadav, Chandra Vhushan Verma, Dheeraj Ahuja, Harishankar Tibarwal, Nitish Deewan, Rohit Gaulati, Satish Chandrakar, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni (Pintu), Sunil Kumar Dammani, Suraj Chokhani, Surendra Bagi, Vishal Ahuja, Ravi Uppalm and two other unknown persons. However, Saurabh Chandrakar, the main accused in the case is yet to be arrested.
According to ANI, the CBI has charged the accused with Sections 120 (B), 420, 467, and 468 under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 11, 7, 8, and 4 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, 2002, and Section 4 (A) of the Public Gambling Act. The agency also conducted searches at over 60 locations across Bhopal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Kolkata, including the premises of politicians, bureaucrats, police officers, and other suspects involved in the case.
The report claims the betting app and its affiliates generated roughly ₹450 crore in monthly revenue. It also alleges that the operators used crypto transactions to hide financial transactions and money trails. Bhagel has been named as a direct beneficiary of the betting funds, with his Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and political advisor getting frequent payments from the app’s network.
Bhagel, on the other hand, claims that the central government is not taking any action against the app itself. He also addressed a press conference claiming that PM Modi and HM Amit Shah patronise the app. The Indian government made it clear that “if anyone takes action against the app, they will face action.”
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