Government officials took ‘protection money’, need to identify: Why CBI sought custody of Mahadev app’s Chandrakar
· India · Indian Express
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has requested 10-day custody of Saurabh Chandrakar, the alleged kingpin of the Mahadev betting app syndicate, to identify public servants who accepted protection money. The agency informed the special CBI court in Raipur that Chandrakar and his co-accused used hawala channels to bribe police officers, government officials, and politicians in Chhattisgarh. Investigators allege the syndicate generated Rs 450 crore monthly since 2020, with funds collected through bank accounts opened using fraudulent documents. Chandrakar, who operated from the UAE, is also accused of facilitating the movement of young individuals from Chhattisgarh to Dubai to support the illegal gambling operations. The court heard arguments regarding the case on Wednesday as the agency seeks to uncover the network of beneficiaries involved in shielding the app's activities.
Why it matters
The investigation aims to expose the nexus between illegal betting operators and public officials in Chhattisgarh, potentially leading to significant legal action against those who facilitated the syndicate's growth.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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