Mahadev app case: Accused retracts statement against Baghel, says 'never delivered cash to politicians'
PTC News Desk: The driver who was arrested earlier this month by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the 508 crore Mahadev gambling app case has retracted his statement in which he allegedly implicated Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.
In July 2022, the ED began an investigation into the Mahadev Book Online Betting App syndicate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleging that the app's promoters, identified as Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, are based overseas and remotely ran illegal betting operations with proceeds of crime totalling several thousand crores.
The ED arrested Das and a constable, Bhim Singh Yadav (41), on November 3, four days before the first phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections, and allegedly seized 5.39 crore in cash from Das's car.
According to the ED, Das stated that he came to Raipur on the orders of another accused, Shubham Soni, to "deliver the money to politicians of the Indian Congress party for election funding."
Das admitted to the ED that the money was to be delivered to ruling political executives, and he named CM Baghel as the intended final recipient.
Das has since retracted his statement.
"I'm starting to realize that I'm being used as a scapegoat... I want to be clear that I have never given any money or support to Baghel, any Verma, or any other Congress party leader or worker," he said in a written statement submitted to the special PMLA court.
In response to the development, Congress launched a scathing attack on the central agency. "The allegations made by the ED in this case are false... They want to target the Congress government," said RP Singh, the party's spokesperson.
- With inputs from agencies