Betting app: CBI searches Bhupesh Baghel houses

RAIPUR: CBI conducted searches at the Raipur and Bhilai residences of former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and several top officials Wednesday as part of a multi-state operation in connection with the alleged Rs 6,000-crore

Mahadev Book app betting scam

.
Among those searched were four IPS officers, a former IAS officer, and several officials perceived close to Baghel. All access roads to these houses were blocked off by police and media was kept out. Sources said CBI officers have sealed the house of an IPS officer as no one was at home. The others have been told to stay indoors until the team completes its searches.
CBI on Wednesday also raided a businessman’s residence in Kolkata’s Salt Lake AE block, as part of the nationwide crackdown. The property belongs to businessman Suraj Chokhani, who, along with his son, was previously investigated for involvement in a betting app racket. The raid, which began early morning with central forces securing the premises, continued until afternoon. CBI did not confirm if family members were present during the search. Barely a fortnight ago, ED had searched Baghel’s home in connection with his son’s alleged involvement in the liquor scam.
A CBI statement issued during the search on Wednesday said, “In the investigation of Mahadev Book online betting scam, CBI is today conducting searches at 60 locations across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata and Delhi, including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book, and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case.”

Investigations have revealed that the promoters of the betting app, Chhattisgarh’s Ravi Uppal and Saurabh Chandrakar Uppal, allegedly paid substantial amounts as ‘protection money’ to public servants to ensure smooth and uninterrupted functioning of their

illegal betting network

, the CBI statement said.

Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai

, who was in Bengaluru for an investors meet on Wednesday, was quoted by PTI as saying that the CBI raids were against a conspiracy to lure poor youth into betting. “As far as I know, the raid pertains to the Mahadev betting app scheme. The whole world knows that some people played with the future of our youth through Mahadev app,” Sai told reporters.
The case was initially registered by Economic Offences Wing, Raipur, and then transferred to CBI govt for a “comprehensive probe into the role of senior public officials and other accused persons”. Officials said that digital and documentary evidence were seized during the searches. Congress alleges Baghel is being targeted by BJP to stop him from working in Punjab, where election is due in two years. “Now, CBI has come,” said Baghel on Wednesday. He was scheduled to attend a meeting in Delhi ahead of AICC’s session in Ahmedabad on April 8-9. But before he could leave, CBI arrived at his residences, Baghel’s office said on X .