Sahil Khan, an actor and influencer, was taken into custody by the Mumbai police on suspicion of being involved in the Mahadev betting app scandal. After appearing in court on Sunday in Shindewadi, Sahil Khan was placed in police detention until 1st May.
Many other Bollywood celebrities were also under investigation in this matter, which is being looked into concurrently by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), after many authorities launched a campaign against different betting and gaming applications.
As explained on September 19, 2023, that 17 Bollywood celebrities were being investigated for possible fraud.
Sahil Khan: On April 28, 2024, in Chhattisgarh, he was taken into custody by the Special Investigating Team (SIT) of the Mumbai cyber police after the Bombay High Court denied his request for pre-arrest bail. Khan, however, denied having any direct affiliation with the betting site and asserted that he was only a brand advocate for The Lion Book brand under a contract with M/s. Isports247.
Shraddha Kapoor: In October 2023, the investigation team called Shraddha Kapoor regarding the Mahadev betting app issue.
Ranbir Kapoor: As part of its probe into the Mahadev online betting app fraud, the ED called Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor in October of 2023.
Kapil Sharma: In October 2023, the investigation agency called comic-turned-actor Kapil Sharma to appear at an event.
Huma Qureshi: Agencies wanted to know Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan’s roles in promoting the app and the amount of payments they got, which the ED said were proceeds of crime.
Explain the Mahadev app. WHO ARE ITS OWNERS?
The firm, which is supported by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, is said to provide internet venues for purportedly unlawful live betting on a variety of sports, including as poker, card games, badminton, tennis, and cricket. For the previous four years, they have been in use.
The Mahadev online book betting application is an umbrella syndicate that sets up online platforms for permitting illicit betting websites. The company’s proprietors are from Bhilai, in Chhattisgarh.
Through a tiered network of Benami bank accounts, the internet programme reportedly facilitated money laundering by enrolling new users. Allegedly, all of the games, lotteries, and betting possibilities were rigged such that the corporation would always win and the “players” would always lose money.
It is said that Chandrakar’s firm profited around Rs 5,000 crore from the scandal.
Enforcement Directorate authorities have said that the owners of the Mahadev online betting app are believed to have ties in Pakistan other than their affiliation with local businesspeople and hawala operations.
