The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday conducted raids at multiple locations in Chhattisgarh, including the residence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the Mahadev online betting app case. The action comes two months after the CBI registered a corruption case linked to the scandal, officials familiar with the development said.
CBI Probe into Mahadev Betting Scam
The Chhattisgarh government, now led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had recommended a CBI probe into the Mahadev case in August 2024, nearly nine months after it came to power, replacing the Congress. Between August 2024 and January 2025, the CBI focused on consolidating key case documents, including First Information Reports (FIRs), charge sheets filed by the state police, and court documents. Following this, a formal case was registered in January.
In its charge sheet filed in July 2024, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh Police stated that the Mahadev betting syndicate remained operational, allegedly securing protection from police, administrative officials, and influential politicians to evade legal action.
ED Alleges ₹508 Crore Bribery to Former CM Baghel
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the money laundering angle, has claimed that the app’s promoters—Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal—paid bribes amounting to ₹508 crore to Bhupesh Baghel. The ED’s findings led to an FIR by the Chhattisgarh Police naming Baghel.
The Mahadev betting syndicate, launched in 2018, allegedly allowed illegal online betting on various games, including poker, cricket, football, and even elections in India. The ED’s second charge sheet stated that the syndicate was running more than 3,200 betting panels across different cities, generating approximately ₹240 crore in daily revenue.
Mahadev Betting Syndicate’s Massive Operations
According to the ED’s January 2024 charge sheet, the promoters of Mahadev Online Book rented 20 villas in Dubai to accommodate their staff of around 3,500 people. The agency has so far filed two charge sheets in the case, including one against Chandrakar and Uppal.
The ED estimates that the proceeds of crime in the case amount to approximately ₹6,000 crore. Out of this, assets worth ₹2,426 crore have been attached, seized, or frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Political and Legal Ramifications
The investigation into the Mahadev betting scam has triggered political turmoil in Chhattisgarh, with opposition parties demanding accountability from former officials allegedly involved in the case. With the CBI’s latest action, the focus is now on the legal proceedings and further revelations in this high-profile corruption case.
Sources By Agencies