In a crackdown targeting illegal betting syndicates, India has taken decisive action by issuing blocking orders for 22 apps and websites involved in such activities. Among the banned apps is the Mahadev Online betting platform, which has recently become embroiled in a political controversy in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh. The state is on the brink of elections scheduled for next month and is currently under the governance of the opposition Congress party.

Earlier, allegations surfaced involving Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, accusing him of receiving a sum of 508 crore Indian rupees from the promoters of the Mahadev Online app. This development has added a layer of complexity and controversy to the political landscape in Chhattisgarh as the authorities strive to curb illegal betting operations.

The Government of India's recent actions aligns closely with an ongoing inquiry conducted by India's foremost economic intelligence agency, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is focused on exposing the unlawful activities of the illegal betting app syndicate.

As part of this investigation, the ED has made significant headway, resulting in the arrest of four individuals. In addition to the arrests, the agency has successfully seized assets with an estimated value surpassing Rs 450 crore, marking these assets as proceeds of criminal activities associated with the illicit betting app network. This marks a substantial step in the efforts to curtail illegal betting operations and apprehend those involved in these unlawful activities.

Furthermore, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken legal action by filing a prosecution complaint against 14 individuals implicated in the case. In response to these developments, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel expressed his views, stating that the central government has "finally awakened from its slumber." This remark underscores the significance of these actions and their potential impact on addressing the issue of illegal betting syndicates.

“I have been asking this for months as to why this app was not being banned. I had even said that maybe the greed of getting 28% GST has made the government not ban the app or the BJP and app operators have made a deal,” he said.

“I feel amazed that for months the ED had been probing this app but still it was operational. Now that the app is banned, its operators in Dubai should be arrested soon. Chhattisgarh Police was the first to issue a lookout circular against them (app promoters),” said the CM.

In response, he implied that the Chhattisgarh Police sought to interrogate the individuals, highlighting that the initial FIR against them was registered within his state's jurisdiction.

However, union minister, Rajeev Chandrasekhar later criticized the CM for not taking sufficient action to curb the app's operations, particularly given the powers vested in states under the Information Technology Act.

Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement said, “The Chhattisgarh government had all the power to recommend shutting down the (Mahadev) website and app under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the state government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years.”

Image source: Business Standards