On August 26, 2024, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma announced that the State government would hand over the investigation of the Mahadev betting app scam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision comes amid growing concerns about the scale and seriousness of the scam.
What is the Mahadev Betting App Scam?
The Mahadev betting app scam involves allegations of money laundering and illegal gambling operations. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has been investigating the case, revealed that the promoters of the Mahadev app allegedly made payments totaling around ₹508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel over a period of time. These payments are part of a larger sum, with the ED estimating the total proceeds of the crime to be around ₹6,000 crore. However, Chief Minister Baghel has denied these allegations.
Legal Actions Taken So Far
Several First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed in connection with the Mahadev app scam. These FIRs fall under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using a forged document as genuine), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence), and 120 (criminal conspiracy). They also include Sections 7 and 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1958 (amended in 2018), and Sections 4, 7, 8, and 11 of the Gambling Act, 1867 (amended to the Public Gambling MP Amendment Act, 1976). These cases are currently being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Raipur district.
Why Transfer the Case to CBI?
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who is also in charge of the State Home portfolio, stated that the Mahadev app scam is a multi-State issue and not just limited to Chhattisgarh. This complexity is one of the main reasons for involving the CBI, which has the expertise to handle cases that span multiple regions and involve significant sums of money.
“No leniency will be shown, and strict action will be taken,” said Mr. Sharma. He expressed confidence that even those accused who are based abroad would be brought back to face the law.
What’s Next?
The transfer of the Mahadev app scam cases to the CBI is expected to intensify the investigation, as the central agency has broader jurisdiction and resources. This move also signals the Chhattisgarh government’s commitment to ensuring a thorough investigation, with the aim of bringing all involved parties to justice. As the investigation progresses, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on the full extent of the scam and its impact.
Conclusion
The decision to transfer the Mahadev betting app scam cases to the CBI underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the government’s intent to take strong action against those involved. With significant sums of money at stake and allegations of corruption reaching high levels of government, the outcome of this investigation will be closely watched. The involvement of the CBI marks a critical step in ensuring transparency and accountability in the fight against financial crimes and corruption.
