Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary for Punjab, Bhupesh Baghel, has strongly criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central Government following the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raids at his residences in Raipur and Bhilai. The searches were conducted in connection with the Mahadev betting app scam. Addressing the media at the State Congress party office, Rajiv Bhawan, in Raipur, Baghel stated that the previous Congress Government had taken stringent actions against the Mahadev betting app. He highlighted that information regarding the app surfaced in 2022, after which directives were issued in the SP-Collector Conference to take necessary action.

 

As a result, 200 people were arrested, over 2,000 bank accounts were seized, and more than 160 mobile phones were confiscated. Baghel further emphasized that in March 2022, the Congress-led state government had introduced a bill to curb online gambling. The initiative aimed at eradicating betting and gambling practices, leading to actions against the Mahadev app during their tenure. Referring to the accused in the Mahadev bet ting app scam, Baghel pointed out that Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, the main culprits, have not yet been arrested. Reports indicate that they have acquired citizenship of the Republic of Vanuatu. Expressing concern over the recent CBI actions, Baghel noted that the agency conducted searches at the residences of police officers who had actively taken action against the accused in the Mahadev app case.

 

He further disclosed that he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a ban on online betting games, yet no action has been taken. Baghel accused the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of politicizing the case. He mentioned that BJP had released a video featuring Shubham Soni, while Asim Das, who stayed in a hotel, was arrested. Furthermore, a vehicle linked to a BJP leader was found to be involved, and images surfaced showing Asim Das and Saurabh Chandrakar in the company of BJP leaders. Despite these revelations, the BJP-led government has not taken action against the Mahadev betting app, he alleged. The former Chief Minister demanded to know when the Central government would ban the Mahadev betting app in the state. He also criticized the government’s stance, stating that those who had taken action against the accused were now being targeted by the CBI. If the current BJP government is refraining from action, it raises suspicions of receiving protection money, Baghel alleged.

 

He further questioned when religious scholar Pandit Pradeep Mishra, who conducted a Katha in Dubai for Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, would be interrogated. He also accused the BJP government of failing to enforce online gaming laws, suggesting that online betting games are operating under the protection of the Centre. The press conference was attended by State Congress President Deepak Baij, Congress Legislative Party leader Dr. Charan Das Mahant, former Minister Dr Shiv Kumar Dahariya, former MLA Vikas Upadhyay, State Congress Media Chief Sushil Anand Shukla, State Congress In-charge General Secretary (Administration and Organisation) Malkit Singh Gaindu, and several other Congress leaders.