Following further raids in the Mahadev app-linked money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate has blocked the security holdings of a Dubai-based "hawala operator" worth over ₹580 crore and confiscated cash and valuables worth ₹3.64 crore, according to official sources. The latest raids took place on February 28 at several locations in Kolkata, Gurugram, Delhi, Indore, Mumbai, and Raipur.
The ED investigation into the Mahadev online gaming and betting app revealed the alleged involvement of several high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh. According to reports, the agency identified "hawala operator" Hari Shankar Tibrewal in this instance. He is from Kolkata but currently stays in Dubai. He collaborated with the founders of the Mahadev app and owned and operated skyexchange, an accused illicit betting app.
Security holdings worth ₹580.78 crore "beneficially owned" by Tibrewal have been frozen by the ED under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. Cash worth ₹1.86 crore and valuables worth ₹1.78 crore were recovered by the agency during these searches, according to the sources.
So far, the ED has arrested nine people in this case. The agency had earlier said that the alleged illegal funds generated by the Mahadev app were used to pay bribes to politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh, from where the main promoters and operatives of the app hail.
So far, the ED has filed two charge sheets in this case, including against the two main promoters of the alleged illegal betting and gaming app Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. It had conducted multiple raids in the case earlier. The projected proceeds of crime in this case are about ₹6,000 crore, according to the ED.
(With inputs from PTI)
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