'Mahadev betting app': Mumbai police register FIR against 32 people for 'fraud' of Rs 15,000 crore

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Mumbai crime news: Mumbai police has booked 32 people, including the "promoter" of the 'Mahadev' betting app, for allegedly committing a fraud of nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

An official of Matunga police said a first information report (FIR) was registered on Tuesday against "app promoter Saurabh Chandrakar", and key accused Ravi Uppal and Shubham Soni, and others for committing the fraud since 2019 until now.

The case was registered on the direction of the 30th Kurla court under Indian Penal Code sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (conspiracy), IT Act (for cyber terrorism) and the Gambling Act, the official said according to news agency PTI.

As per the FIR, the accused have defrauded people of nearly Rs 15,000 crore.

The Enforcement Directorate last week claimed that a forensic analysis and a statement made by a 'cash courier' had led to "startling allegations" that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about Rs 508 crore to the Chhattisgarh chief minister so far, and that "these are subject matter of investigation".

Later, the BJP released a video of Shubham Soni saying he was the owner of the app and had the "proof" of paying Rs 508 crore so far to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.

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On November 5, the Centre issued blocking orders against 22 illegal betting platforms, including the Mahadev app and 'Reddyannaprestopro', on ED's request, an official statement said.

The action of banning the 22 illegal betting platforms follows investigations conducted by the ED against an illegal betting app syndicate and subsequent raids in connection with the Mahadev app in Chhattisgarh.

Architect booked for firing in air in Navi Mumbai industrial area

Meanwhile, a 44-year-old architect allegedly fired in air from a revolver near a hotel in an industrial area in Navi Mumbai after being miffed with a contractor for not returning the money lent to him, police said on Wednesday.

No one was injured in the incident which took place at around 9.30 pm on Tuesday in the Turbhe Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area, an official from Turbhe police station said.

While firing, the accused said he had given a loan of Rs 5 lakh to the contractor of a hotel in Turbhe, but he did not return the money.

The accused was upset as he did not get the money back and out of frustration fired one round in air near the hotel from his foreign made licensed revolver, the official said quoting the FIR.

The police seized the revolver and 15 live cartridges from the accused, he said.

Based on a complaint by an employee of the hotel, the police have registered a case against the accused under Indian Penal Code section 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) and provisions of the Arms Act, he added. (With inputs from PTI)