India

Mahadev App’s Financial Transactions Scrutinized Amidst Lavish 200-Crore UAE Wedding

In February 2023, a lavish wedding ceremony held in Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE, with a whopping budget of ₹200 crore entirely in cash, has brought the Mahadev Online Book app under the scrutiny of investigative agencies. This event gained significant attention when popular actor Ranbir Kapoor, known for endorsing the app in advertisements, was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning, scheduled for this Friday.

The wedding was organized for Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of the Mahadev Online Book app. The extravagant affair featured private jet flights for family members, celebrity performances, and the management of the event by a Mumbai-based company. What raised alarms with the ED was the fact that all these expenses were paid in cash.

The ED, in a statement dated September 15, revealed that digital evidence suggests ₹112 crore was funneled through hawala transactions to the event management firm, while ₹42 crore was used in cash for hotel bookings in UAE currency.

Further investigations into individuals linked to the event management firm yielded evidence of hawala transactions and unaccounted-for cash. The agency noted that several celebrities had endorsed betting entities like Mahadev Online Book app, participating in functions in exchange for substantial fees, which were often routed through questionable transactions ultimately funded by online betting proceeds.

The ED also extended its searches to the travel agency responsible for booking tickets for Mahadev app promoters, their families, and celebrity endorsers. The agency found that M/s Rapid Travels, operated by Dheeraj Ahuja and Vishal Ahuja, played a role in cleverly depositing illicit earnings from betting panels with major ticket providers. These funds were then used to book both domestic and international flights.

In addition to this, the ED claimed to have identified other significant players involved in the alleged money laundering activities associated with the Mahadev Online Book app.

The investigation revealed that the primary promoters of the app, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, originally from Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, have established a significant presence in the UAE. The ED expressed concerns about the ostentatious display of wealth and rapid acquisition of riches by these individuals.

The agency’s findings indicate large-scale hawala operations aimed at diverting betting proceeds into offshore accounts. Moreover, substantial cash expenditures have allegedly been made in India for advertising betting websites and self-promotion, with the intention of attracting new users and franchise seekers.

To date, the Enforcement Directorate has conducted searches at 39 locations and seized illegal assets valued at ₹417 crore as part of its ongoing investigation into these alleged financial irregularities.

Priyanka Rai

Recent Posts

PM Modi: Before 2014, TN Was Starved Of Funds By INDI Alliance

PM Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge in Rameswaram, highlighting ₹8,300 crore infrastructure projects in…

7 hours ago

PM Modi Engages With Sri Lanka’s Cricket Icons; Strengthens Cultural Ties In Colombo

During his visit to Colombo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with legendary members of Sri…

8 hours ago

‘Show Pride In Tamil’: PM Modi’s Subtle Dig At MK Stalin During Rameswaram Speech

PM Modi, while addressing a public gathering in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, called on state leaders…

9 hours ago

Full-Body Scanner Trials To Begin At Delhi Airport In May; Aiming To Enhance Security & Speed

Starting May, Delhi’s IGI Airport will trial full-body scanners at Terminals 1 & 3, aiming…

9 hours ago

PM Modi Dismisses Allegations On Central Govt; Defends Fund Allocation To Tamil Nadu

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the New Pamban Bridge on Sunday and firmly countered allegations that…

9 hours ago

PM Modi Highlights Spiritual Connection With Ram Setu And Surya Tilak

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, upon returning to India after his state visit to Sri Lanka,…

10 hours ago