Digital Desk: Popular comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, along with actors Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan, have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Mahadev Online Book App. This summons comes in the wake of earlier notices sent to actor Ranbir Kapoor, who had endorsed the controversial gaming app.
The ED alleges that these celebrities received substantial amounts of money from the proceeds of criminal activities linked to the Mahadev Online Book App, which is accused of facilitating illegal betting and money laundering.
The Mahadev Online Book App has become the focal point of this investigation, with authorities claiming that it serves as an umbrella syndicate for numerous illegal betting websites. The ED contends that the app enables these platforms to onboard new users, create user IDs, and launder money through a complex network of Benami bank accounts.
Two prominent figures in the online betting underworld, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, have been named as the masterminds behind the Mahadev app. Their influence reportedly extends beyond India, reaching the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Notably, Chandrakar and Uppal transitioned from running humble businesses—an juice shop and a tire shop, respectively—to establishing an online betting empire. According to ED findings, the duo enlisted around 4,000-panel operators across India, each with 200 customers placing bets. This lucrative operation purportedly generated a staggering ₹200 crore in daily profits.
In a shocking revelation, Chandrakar's wedding earlier this year in the UAE was estimated to have cost ₹200 crore in cash, with private jets transporting guests from India. The wedding expenses were allegedly routed through Hawala channels, implicating numerous individuals in the money laundering scheme.
The ED's investigation has also extended its focus to Bollywood celebrities who were invited to perform at Chandrakar's extravagant wedding. A total of 14 stars from the film industry are currently under the ED's scrutiny.
Last month, the ED conducted raids across 39 locations in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhopal, seizing assets valued at ₹417 crore as part of the probe into the Mahadev Online Betting App.
With high-profile celebrities like Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and Hina Khan now summoned for questioning, the case has attracted nationwide attention, shedding light on the deep-rooted connections between the entertainment industry and the alleged criminal activities surrounding the app.
