Man claiming to be Mahadev app kingpin says he paid Bhupesh Baghel aides; CM calls it BJP’s ‘ugly attempt to spoil image’

Last week, the ED had alleged that Baghel had received kickbacks to the tune of Rs 508 crore from the promoters of the Mahadev app.

Man claiming to be Mahadev app kingpin says he paid Bhupesh Baghel aides; Chhattisgarh CM calls it BJP's 'ugly attempt to spoil image'

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. (File)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

Two days before the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh, a man named Subham Soni, who claims to be the owner of the Mahadev app, an online betting platform, has released a video claiming he gave Rs 508 crore to Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s aides.

According to Saurabh Kumar Pande, Special Public Prosecutor, Enforcement Directorate, Raipur, the man has already been summoned in connection with the app, which was used to dupe thousands. “Right now further investigation is going on in which a summon under Section 50 PMLA was issued to Shubham Soni to tender his statement before ED Raipur. He is stationed in Dubai. Rather than appearing before ED to tender his statement, he has sent an email containing certain information, some of which have been detailed in the video,” Pande said.

In the video Soni claims he was “encouraged” by Baghel to go to Dubai and run his business, and that he has been giving “protection money” to Chhattisgarh politicians and police to protect his men.

Explained | Mahadev online betting racket: How two Chhattisgarh men amassed Rs 5000 cr

The video was shared by BJP’s official Twitter handle.

Baghel issued a detailed statement: “As I said earlier, BJP wants to fight elections by using central agencies like ED, IT etc. Just before elections, an ugly attempt is made to spoil my image. This is a political attempt to defame the popular Congress government through ED’s medium. Earlier, in the Mahadev app case, ED defamed people close to me by raiding their homes, and now, suddenly, based on a person’s statement, they have made an allegation of me taking Rs 508 crore.” He also asked the Election Commission to check the money allegedly coming in boxes brought by central agencies in special planes.

Read | Mahadev Book among 22 betting apps, websites blocked by Centre

Last week, the ED had alleged that Baghel had received kickbacks to the tune of Rs 508 crore from the promoters of the Mahadev app.

In the video, Soni claimed: “I own the Mahadev app and Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal (alleged kingpins of the scam) are my advisors.”

Story continues below this ad

An ED source said Soni is one of the suspects in the case.

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Bhupesh Baghel