Raipur: The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has lodged an FIR naming 19 individuals, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, unnamed bureaucrats and police officers and others in connection with Mahadev book online betting scam.
Akashvani Correspondent reports that the EOW initiated the case on March 4, following an application submitted by the Enforcement Directorate -ED. The EOW has charged the accused under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, including fraud, criminal conspiracy and forgery.
As per the FIR, the illicit proceeds from the online betting app were invested in several companies, including shell companies and the stock market. To conceal their activities, the perpetrators sought the protection of various police and administrative officials, as well as influential political figures. In return, they regularly paid significant sums of money as protection fees.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference in Raipur today, former Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Rajnandgaon Lok Sabha seat Bhupesh Baghel said that the FIR against him has been registered due to political vendetta.
