In a development late on Sunday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including Mahadev Book and Reddyannaprestopro. This action comes in response to a request made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), as reported by PTI. The ED had initiated investigations into an alleged illegal betting app syndicate, leading to subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh. These investigations unveiled the unlawful operations of the app, prompting the blocking orders.
Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, raised concerns over the Chhattisgarh government's inaction in recommending the shutdown of these platforms, despite having the authority to do so under Section 69A of the IT Act. He stated that the state government had been investigating the matter for the past 1.5 years, yet no request had been made by them. The only request received and acted upon was from the ED.
Two individuals, Bhim Singh Yadav, a constable in the Chhattisgarh police force, and Asim Das, are currently in custody, having been arrested for violating the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED is also investigating allegations that the promoters of the Mahadev app had facilitated a payment of Rs 508 crore to a prominent politician known as 'Baghel', which appears to be a reference to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The state is on the brink of its Assembly election this month, with the first round of polling scheduled for Tuesday.
Additionally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unveiled a video during a press conference in Delhi on Sunday. In the video, Shubham Soni, an accused in the Mahadev Book betting app case, made startling claims regarding his involvement in the app and alleged financial transactions with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others, amounting to Rs 508 crore.
The video was presented to the public by Siddharth Nath Singh, the BJP's central media convener. In the footage, an individual identifying himself as Shubham Soni asserted ownership of the Mahadev Book betting app and accused Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others of receiving substantial payments.
Soni expressed frustration over not achieving the desired outcomes despite these payments and disclosed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had initiated actions against him. He urgently appealed to the Indian government for assistance, claiming that he felt ensnared within the political system and expressed a desire to return to India. Additionally, he conveyed his apprehensions, saying, "I am fearful for my safety."