Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT breaks down the details of ED’s explosive allegations in the Mahadev Betting Scam that could have a direct impact on Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel 5 days ahead of first phase of elections in the state
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made startling allegations in connection with the multi thousand crore Mahadev betting app scandal, which may spell trouble for Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, just days before the state’s crucial elections. The ED has claimed that a courier, caught with over Rs 5 crore in cash, has revealed that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app made payments of Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The money found with the courier was allegedly meant for election expenses in Chhattisgarh. The 6 explosive revelations made by Enforcement Directorate in the case are as follows
Revelation 1: “On Thursday, the agency conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai and successfully intercepted a cash courier. Asim Das, who was sent from the UAE especially to deliver (a) large amount of cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party”
Revelation 2: “Rs 5.39 crore was recovered from Das’ car and residence, and he had admitted that the money was arranged by the promoters of the Mahadev App, who are based in the UAE, to be ‘delivered to one Politician ‘Baghel’ for upcoming election expenses in state of Chhattisgarh.”
Revelation 3: “From his questioning, the forensic examination of the phone recovered from him, and the examination of an email sent by Shubam Soni (a high-ranking accused in Mahadev network) it has been revealed that ‘regular payments have been made in the past and so far around Rs 508 Crore have been paid by Mahadev App Promoters to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh”
Revelation 4: “The ED has also questioned and arrested Police Constable Bheem Yadav. The agency said investigation revealed that, in the past 3 years, Yadav had ‘unauthorisedly’ traveled to Dubai and met Mahadev App promoters Ravi Uppal and Sourabh Chandrakar.”
Revelation 5: “The agency said he had participated in functions linked to the Mahadev app, and his travel expenses were borne by M/s Rapid Travels owned by Ahuja Brothers, which is allegedly a money laundering and ticketing company of the Mahadev App.”
Revelation 6: “He was the conduit to receive bribe money from Mahadev App promoters for the benefit of senior officers and politicians of Chhattisgarh”
These revelations come as a significant blow to CM Bhupesh Baghel and the ruling Congress Party in Chhattisgarh, as it raises serious questions about the source of these alleged payments and their implications for the upcoming state elections. The ED’s investigation was triggered by intelligence input indicating the movement of a large amount of cash by the Mahadev app’s promoters in the run-up to the elections.
The ED conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai, where they successfully intercepted a cash courier named Asim Das, who had been sent from the UAE with a substantial amount of cash for electioneering expenses. A staggering Rs 5.39 crore was recovered from Das, and he reportedly confessed that the money had been arranged by the Mahadev app promoters based in the UAE. It was meant to be delivered to a politician referred to as ‘Baghel’ for election expenses in Chhattisgarh.
The implications of these allegations are severe, as the investigation further reveals that “regular payments have been made in the past, and so far around Rs 508 Crore have been paid by Mahadev App Promoters to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.”
Investigation conducted so far:-
In its ongoing investigation into the Mahadev app case, the ED has arrested four individuals and seized “proceeds of crime” exceeding Rs 450 Crore. The revelations made in this latest development have serious implications for Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, and they come at a highly sensitive time, just days before the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh. The allegations cast a shadow of doubt over the transparency and integrity of the electoral process and may significantly impact the electoral landscape in the state.
Questions that Congress Party and Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel must answer:-
1. In light of the Enforcement Directorate’s recent revelation that Mahadev App promoters made payments of around Rs 508 Crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for election expenses, how does the Congress party plan to respond to these serious accusations just days before the state’s elections?
2. With the ED revealing that a cash courier was intercepted with over Rs 5 crore meant for election expenses of the ruling Congress Party, can the party deny the seriousness of the charge?
3. What is the Congress party’s specific response to the allegations that such a large sum of money was arranged by the Mahadev App promoters, who are based in the UAE, to be delivered to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for election expenses?
4. Can Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel clarify his knowledge and involvement in the transactions mentioned by the ED and explain how this doesn’t pose legal concerns in the lead-up to the elections?
5. How does the Congress party plan to address the public’s concerns about transparency and accountability in election finances, especially given the magnitude of these allegations?
6. Will the Congress party cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations into these allegations and work to ensure that the public is provided with accurate information regarding the source and use of these funds?
7. Given the timing of these allegations just before the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh, how does the Congress party intend to maintain public trust and confidence in its ability to govern if these allegations remain unresolved?
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