The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at 15 locations across Delhi, Mumbai and West Bengal on Wednesday, in connection with its money laundering probe into the Mahadev online betting app case. The raids come nearly two weeks after the arrest of Nitish Diwan, a close aide of main promoters Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal.The high-profile case allegedly involves politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh receiving bribes. So far, nine people have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to extradite Chandrakar and Uppal from the UAE.The two were recently detained in Dubai based on Interpol red corner notices obtained by ED. A formal extradition request has been sent. In its chargesheet, ED alleged Chandrakar spent Rs 200 crore on his lavish wedding in Ras Al Khaimah in February 2023, with private jets hired to ferry guests.The agency claims illegal funds from the betting app were used to bribe Chhattisgarh officials. Several Bollywood celebrities have been questioned about their links with the platform.ED has so far filed two chargesheets, detailing a projected proceeds of crime worth Rs 6,000 crore. The latest raids are aimed at gathering further evidence about the complex money trail and web of political patronage associated with the case.The high stakes investigation has gripped the public imagination, underscoring the nexus between crime, politics and celebrity culture.
