In a surprising turn of events in the Mahadev betting app case, Asim Das, the alleged courier arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) with over Rs 5 crore cash on November 3, has backtracked from his purported claims of delivering hundreds of crores to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.Das makes startling allegations about CM BaghelDas was arrested just ahead of the first phase of the Chhattisgarh Assembly elections. The ED had stated that Das confessed he worked as a courier for the promoters of the illicit Mahadev betting app. As per the probe agency, he made startling allegations that payments amounting to a whopping Rs 508 crore were made to Baghel through him.However, in a letter written to the ED Director from jail, Das has denied making any such claims. He alleged that he was being framed in the case and was coerced by officials to sign statements in English, a language he cannot read or understand.Das on Shubham SoniDescribing the sequence of events leading to his arrest, Das wrote that Shubham Soni, the alleged kingpin of the betting and hawala racket, was his childhood friend. Soni had invited him to Dubai twice in October to discuss plans to start a construction business in Chhattisgarh. He asked Das to work for him and help arrange the money needed for the business.According to Asim Das letter, On the day I landed at the Raipur airport, I was asked to pick up a car and check into a hotel on VIP Road. I was told to park the car at a specific spot, where a person later put bags of cash in the vehicle and left. Das claims he had no idea about the illegal source of money and was merely following instructions. Later, ED officials took him into custody from his hotel room regarding the cash seizure.Further, the jailed accused also denied any knowledge of the multi-crore betting operations or being involved in delivering funds to politicians. I have never supplied money or any other assistance to any political leaders or workers, Das wrote. He alleges that probe agencies could be pushing a false narrative under political pressure.ED on Mahadev betting app caseMeanwhile, the ED continues to widen its probe into the Mahadev betting and money laundering case. The app gained infamy after an extravagant Rs 200 crore wedding in Dubai was found to be financed entirely by cash from its operations. Earlier accused persons have hinted at the involvement of police, bureaucrats and politicians.Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor who promoted the betting app are also under the scanner for questioning. However, Das startling claims and subsequent retraction have brought an element of uncertainty regarding the sensational allegations against Baghel. The case seems poised at a tipping point with the truth difficult to ascertain.
