CBI conducts searches at ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel's residence

New Delhi: The CBI on Wednesday conducted searches at 60 locations, including the residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the Rs 6,000 crore Mahadev betting app scam. The Congress has alleged that the action was "politically motivated."

An agency spokesperson said the searches were conducted at premises in Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book, and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case.

Baghel's residences in Raipur and Bhilai, the premises of Congress MLA Devendra Yadav in Bhilai town of Durg district, and those of IPS officers Anand Chhabra, Abhishek Pallava, and Arif Sheikh were among those searched.

Baghel's office posted on 'X' from his handle in the morning, "Now CBI has arrived. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is scheduled to go to Delhi today for the meeting of the 'Drafting Committee' constituted for the AICC meeting to be held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) on April 8 and 9. Before that, the CBI has reached Raipur and Bhilai Niwas."

The CBI said the case pertains to the alleged illegal operations of Mahadev Book, an online betting platform promoted by Ravi Uppal and Saurabh Chandrakar, both of whom are currently based in Dubai.

"Investigations have revealed that the promoters allegedly paid substantial amounts as 'protection money' to public servants to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of their illegal betting network," a CBI statement said. Digital and documentary evidence were found and seized during the searches, CBI officials said.

Last year, the BJP-led Chhattisgarh government had handed over 70 cases related to the alleged Mahadev scam to the CBI.

"Initially registered by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Raipur, the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI by the Government of Chhattisgarh for a comprehensive probe into the role of senior public officials and other accused persons," the agency said.

The Enforcement Directorate, also probing the case, has alleged that its investigation revealed the involvement of several top politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh. In November 2023, the ED had claimed that Baghel took Rs 508 crore from the betting app company.

Chhattisgarh Congress chief Deepak Baij claimed that the BJP sent the CBI after Baghel and Yadav following "failed raids and failed conspiracies." "Since this morning, the CBI has been camping at the houses of both our leaders. This is nothing but the government's desperation," he said.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said the Congress should not link the CBI’s searches on the premises of its leader Bhupesh Baghel and others to politics and should cooperate in the investigation.