Sports
The wrestler-turned-athlete was offered three choices under the state government's sports policy: a cash prize of Rs 4 crore, a 'Group A' government job, or a plot in Haryana.
Digital Desk: Three-time Oly
Union Minister Smriti Irani launched a scathing attack on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel following allegations that he received a whopping...
Digital Desk: Union Minister Smriti Irani launched a scathing attack on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel following allegations that he received a whopping ₹508 crore from the promoters of the controversial Mahadev betting app. These explosive accusations surfaced when a courier caught with ₹5 crore spilled the beans to the Enforcement Directorate, claiming that the app's promoters had funneled ₹508 crore to Baghel.
In a court remand application for the detained courier, the agency stated, "This fact needs to be independently corroborated by this Directorate."
Irani wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to criticize Baghel, accusing him of using the illicit betting money to fund the Congress campaign in Chhattisgarh, which is scheduled for polls later this month.
"Congress is fighting the Chhattisgarh election with the help of hawala operators. It's shocking that we have seen the use of hawala operations and illicit money from illegal betting to fund the Congress campaign," Irani stated at a press conference.
"Never before in our electoral history have people seen such evidence. Satta (power) me rah kar satta (betting) ka khel khela hai (he has played the game of betting while being in power)," she added.
In response, Baghel accused the BJP of orchestrating a politically motivated attack against him using central investigation agencies, just days before the crucial assembly polls in Chhattisgarh, scheduled for November 7 and 17.
Congress issued a statement in support of Baghel, asserting that the people of Chhattisgarh would deliver a resounding response to these allegations. "This is a clear-cut conspiracy to tarnish Bhupesh Baghel's image. People will give a befitting reply," Congress stated in response to the charges.
The courier has claimed that the money in his possession was intended for delivery to the politician 'Baghel' for election expenses in Chhattisgarh. These shocking allegations have emerged merely four days before the first phase of elections in the state.
The Mahadev app had previously drawn scrutiny from investigative agencies after a high-profile ₹200-crore wedding in the UAE earlier this year, which was entirely financed with cash.
Last month, the app garnered further attention when Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who had appeared in advertisements for the app, were summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning.
One of the accused, apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate, had previously alleged that police, politicians, and bureaucrats had a stake in the app to sustain the betting and hawala syndicate.
Leave A Comment