Centre Issues Blocking Orders Against 22 Illegal Betting Apps, Websites Including Mahadev Book Online
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting apps and websites, including the controversial Mahadev Book and Reddyannaprestopro. According to the MeitY, the order comes after the investigations conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against illegal betting app syndicate and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh, revealing the app’s unlawful operations.
The Mahadev betting app is centre of the Chhattisgarh election campaign as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his party BJP have accused Congress Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of corruption following some claims by the ED. To the allegations, Mr Baghel replied that they are mere “malicious attempts” by the BJP to destroy his name and frame ahead of the polls. “This is a political attempt to defame the popular Congress government which is being done through ED”, he said on X.
The ban, following an all-out attack against the Congress government in Chhattisgarh by the BJP and its leaders, comes just two days before the state goes to the first phase of Assembly elections. Congress and the Opposition parties have countered the BJP allegations based on ED claims as the center using investigation agencies for political gains ahead of elections.
The ministry said accused Bhim Singh Yadav, working as a Constable in the Chhattisgarh Police force and one Asim Das are currently in custody, having been arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for commission of the offence of money laundering.
The ED, according to reports, has conducted raids in the state tracing the scam and money laundering links connected to Mr Baghel. According to the agency, it had successfully intercepted a cash courier identified as Asim Das, who had allegedly been sent from the UAE. They had seized an amount of Rs 5.39 crores from Mr Das, who confessed that funds were arranged by the promoters of the Mahadev betting app for Mr Baghel, supporting the election expenses. Mr Das also revealed that the app made regular payments in the past also to Mr Baghel, and it sums approximately Rs 508 crore.
The MeitY minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Chhattisgarh Government had all the power to recommend shutting down of website/app under Sec 69A IT Act. However, they did not do so and no such request is made by the State Government while they have been investigating it for last 1.5 years. In fact, the first and only request has been received from ED and it has been acted upon. Nothing prevented Chhattisgarh Government from making similar requests.”
