Former Indian minister named in Mahadev betting app scandal
Former Indian Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been named as one of the accused in the Mahadev Betting app case, according to an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The FIR, originally filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of police in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, was taken over by the CBI and made public on Tuesday.
The CBI has charged Baghel, along with 20 others, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, and the Public Gambling Act. On 26 March, the CBI conducted searches at Baghel’s residence in Chhattisgarh in connection with the case, seizing three mobile phones. This was the second such raid in 15 days.
#WATCH | Bhilai, Durg: CBI raids underway at the residence of former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel in a case related to the Mahadev betting app pic.twitter.com/aUARCtV8Nu
— ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2025
Allegations against Baghel
The ED report, which serves as the basis for the FIR, alleges that Mahadev Online Book promoters named Baghel as a “beneficiary” of betting funds. The probe agency also claimed that Baghel’s aides regularly received money from the operation. In 2023, the ED seized ₹5.39 crore (approximately $650,000) from an alleged cash courier, Asim Das, who reportedly stated in a recorded message that the money was meant for Baghel.
CBI की FIR में मुझे भी आरोपी बनाया गया है.
— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) April 2, 2025
2024 में दर्ज FIR को कल CBI ने सार्वजनिक किया है.
भारत सरकार यह बताए कि ऑनलाइन बेटिंग कानूनी है या नहीं ?
यदि कानूनी है तो किस बात की प्रोटेक्शन मनी और यदि नहीं तो आज भी यह खुलेआम कैसे चल रहा है ? pic.twitter.com/qlTdS9Ylg4
Calling the investigation politically motivated, Baghel has denied all allegations. He said his government had taken strict action against Mahadev Online Book, leading to multiple FIRs, arrests, and frozen accounts. He also accused the central government of protecting key accused individuals like Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, questioning why they had not been arrested despite a lookout circular.
Political fallout and ongoing probe
The Mahadev app case has turned into a political flashpoint between India’s opposition Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Baghel accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political vendetta ahead of elections. He also claimed that the BJP had links to individuals associated with the app.
The CBI has conducted searches across multiple regions, including Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi, targeting politicians, bureaucrats, police officers, and key functionaries of the Mahadev Book operation.
What is the Mahadev betting app case?
The Mahadev Online Book case is one of India’s largest illegal betting scandals, involving online gambling on sports, card games, and even Indian elections. Authorities accuse the operation of money laundering, cryptocurrency transactions, and manipulating games for huge profits.
The network ran through a series of websites and private chat groups, using different contact numbers for deposits and withdrawals to avoid detection. The case gained attention after the Enforcement Directorate (ED), India’s financial crime investigation agency, linked its financial transactions to a grand ₹250 crore (approximately $30 million) wedding in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosted by co-founder Sourabh Chandrakar.
