ED Seizes Rs 1,700 Crore in Assets Tied to Mahadev Betting App, Including Dubai's Burj Khalifa
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a major step in its money laundering probe by attaching fresh immovable assets valued at approximately Rs 1,700 crore located in Dubai. These properties are linked to entities associated with Sourabh Chandrakar, a key promoter of the controversial Mahadev online betting app, according to sources on Wednesday.
Properties Attached in Dubai and India
Sources revealed that the ED's regional office in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach multiple high-value villas and houses. Notably, some of these properties are situated in the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building in Dubai. While the majority of the attached assets are in Dubai, a few are also located within India, as per the latest order.
Promoters and Extradition Efforts
The Mahadev app was primarily promoted by Sourabh Chandrakar and his associate Ravi Uppal, both natives of Chhattisgarh. India is actively pursuing their extradition. Chandrakar was last known to be in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while Uppal is reported to have fled from the UAE to Vanuatu.
Allegations and Investigation Scope
Chandrakar and others are accused of "cheating" the public through the Mahadev app, which was designed to facilitate various illegal betting websites and mobile applications. The app allegedly managed customer acquisition and financial operations for these illicit betting games. The ED has previously indicated that the case involves high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh, highlighting the broader implications of this investigation.
This asset attachment marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on illegal online betting and money laundering activities in India.
