THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, March 1: Following additional raids in the money laundering case related to the Mahadev app, the Enforcement Directorate has frozen the security holdings of a Dubai-based “hawala operator” valued at over Rs 580 crore and confiscated cash and valuables valued at Rs 3.64 crore, official sources stated on Friday.
On February 28, numerous locations in Kolkata, Gurugram, Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, and Raipur were the target of the most recent raids.
According to sources, the agency has identified a “hawala operator,” Hari Shankar Tibrewal, in connection with this case. Tibrewal, originally from Kolkata but currently residing in Dubai, collaborated with the promoters of the Mahadev app. Additionally, he is alleged to have owned and managed another illicit betting app called skyexchange.
According to the ED, security holdings valued at Rs 580.78 crore that Tibrewal “beneficially owned” have been frozen in accordance with the PMLA’s provisions.
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The sources state that the agency seized items valued at Rs 1.78 crore and cash worth Rs 1.86 crore during these searches.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested a total of nine individuals in connection with this case thus far.
Bribes to politicians in Chhattisgarh, Bollywood links
The investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the Mahadev online gaming and betting app suggests the alleged participation of several senior politicians and government officials from Chhattisgarh.
Previously, the agency had stated that the purportedly illicit funds generated by the app were utilized for offering bribes to politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh, the home state of the main promoters and operators of the app.
The agency summoned several celebrities and Bollywood actors for questioning regarding their associations with the online betting platform and the payment methods involved.
Two chargesheets filed
Up to this point, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed two charge sheets in this matter, which include charges against the two primary promoters of the purported illegal betting and gaming application, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, alongside others.
The agency had conducted numerous raids in connection with the case previously.
The ED estimates that the proceeds of crime in this case are approximately Rs 6,000 crore.
