On Saturday, Mumbai cyber cell’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) apprehended Sahil Khan, a 47-year-old actor and fitness trainer, from Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh after the Bombay High Court dismissed his bail plea in the Mahadev betting scam case.
The court, while rejecting the plea, noted that Khan was “directly connected with an online betting application”.
Earlier this month, Khan was questioned for four hours, during which time he said he ‘had no role in the case’.
Sahil Khan, known for films like ‘Style’ and ‘Excuse Me’ and fitness expertise, is sent to police custody till May 1.
About the Mahadev betting case
According to the FIR registered by the police, the size of the scam is about ₹15,000 crore.
In the instant case, an investigation is underway for alleged illegal transactions between certain financial and real estate firms in the state and the promoters of the controversial Mahadev betting app.
According to the police report, the probe involves examining their bank accounts, mobile phones, laptops, and all technical equipment.
Social activist Prakash Bankar lodged the initial complaint in November 2023, alleging that several web portals were designed for illegal online betting or gambling on cricket, football, tennis, and card games. These have been operational for the past four years.
Mahadev online book betting application is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites. It enrolled new users and allegedly laundered money through a layered web of Benami bank accounts. Apparently, the games and lotteries were allegedly “rigged” as the players always lost money and the company gained.
The company is promoted by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh.
According to ED sources, the owners of the Mahadev online betting app are suspected to have links in Pakistan in addition to association with local businessmen and hawala operations.
Arrests in the case so far
Last week, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh arrested two persons in connection with the operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting application.
The state agencies also mentioned that former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, the app’s promoters, and 14 others are accused in the case.
Additionally, ED has separately arrested nine persons as part of its probe.
The authorities have also questioned various Bollywood actors for allegedly promoting the platform’s alleged illegal operations. Along with Sahil Khan, 32 others have been charged with promoting the betting application.
