ED Reveals Allegations of Payments to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

ED Reveals Allegations of Payments to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

VoM News Desk | November 3, 2023 | 08:53 PM IST | Chattisgarh, Crime | Follow on Google News

ED Reveals Allegations of Payments to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

ED Reveals Allegations of Payments to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered fresh evidence during a search operation conducted on November 2, shedding light on alleged regular payments made in the past. As per the ED’s findings, approximately Rs 508 crore has been paid by the promoters of the Mahadev App to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Investigation into Mahadev Book Online Betting App Syndicate

The ED’s investigation is centered on the Mahadev Book Online Betting App syndicate, which is operated remotely by promoters based abroad. This syndicate manages thousands of panels across India, with the assistance of their friends and associates primarily from Chhattisgarh, accumulating significant proceeds of crime. The ED has already arrested four accused individuals and seized proceeds of crime exceeding Rs 450 crore, leading to the filing of a prosecution complaint against 14 accused persons.

Cash Intercepted and Allegations of Payments

On November 2, the ED received intelligence that a substantial amount of cash was being moved in Chhattisgarh by the Mahadev App promoters in connection with the Assembly Elections scheduled for November 7 and 17. The ED conducted searches and successfully intercepted a cash courier named Asim Das, who had been sent from the UAE to deliver a significant amount of cash for election expenses of the ruling Congress party. Rs 5.39 crore in cash was recovered from his car and residence, and Asim Das confessed that the funds were intended for “Baghel,” a politician, for upcoming election expenses in Chhattisgarh.

Benami Bank Accounts and Arrests

The ED also identified benami bank accounts associated with the Mahadev App, freezing a balance of Rs 15.59 crore. Asim Das was arrested in connection with these findings. The ED’s investigation has unveiled startling allegations, suggesting that regular payments, totaling around Rs 508 crore, were made by Mahadev App promoters to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. These allegations are currently under investigation.

Police Constable’s Involvement

During further investigations, the ED questioned and arrested Police Constable Bheem Yadav. It was revealed that in the past three years, Bheem Yadav had traveled to Dubai without authorization, met key individuals associated with the Mahadev App, participated in their events, and had his travel expenses covered by M/s Rapid Travels of Ahuja Brothers, a money laundering and ticketing company linked to the Mahadev App. He allegedly acted as a conduit to receive bribe money from the app’s promoters for the benefit of senior officers and politicians in Chhattisgarh.

Both accused individuals were presented before the PMLA Special Judge in Raipur, and the ED sought their custodial interrogation to independently corroborate their admissions and trace evidence of money laundering. The court granted custody to the ED for seven days.

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