“Never Before…”: Smriti Irani Accuses Bhupesh Baghel Amid Mahadev App Scandal

In recent developments, Union Minister Smriti Irani has accused Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of receiving ₹508 crore from the promoters of the Mahadev betting app. These allegations surfaced after a courier was caught with ₹5 crore, and during questioning by the Enforcement Directorate, the courier claimed that the app’s promoters had made payments totaling ₹508 crore to Mr. Baghel.

The Enforcement Directorate, in its remand application for the courier, has emphasized the need for independent corroboration of this claim. Smriti Irani has alleged that Mr. Baghel used this betting money to fund the Congress campaign in Chhattisgarh, which is scheduled for elections later this month.

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Irani stated, “Congress is fighting the Chhattisgarh election with the help of hawala operators. It’s shocking that we have the use of hawala operations and illicit money from illegal betting to fund the Congress campaign.”

Mr. Baghel, in response, has accused the BJP of using central investigation agencies to target him ahead of the upcoming assembly polls in the state, scheduled for November 7 and 17.

The Congress party has issued a statement defending Baghel, asserting that the allegations are part of a conspiracy to tarnish his image, and the people of Chhattisgarh will respond fittingly.

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The courier has also told the Enforcement Directorate that the money he was carrying was intended for election expenses of a politician referred to as ‘Baghel’ in Chhattisgarh. These allegations have emerged just four days before the first phase of elections in the state.

The Mahadev app came under scrutiny by investigative agencies after a ₹200-crore wedding in the UAE this February, which was paid for entirely in cash. Furthermore, Bollywood actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor, who appeared in ads for the app, were summoned for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate.

Additionally, one of the accused arrested by the ED had previously claimed that police, politicians, and bureaucrats were given a stake in the app to sustain the betting and hawala syndicate.