After PM Modi Targets Bhupesh Baghel, Betting App Owner Claims Chhattisgarh CM Advised Him To Go To Dubai

Amid the ongoing row over 'betting app' scandal, an accused in the case has reportedly claimed that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel suggested him to travel to the UAE.

The case involves allegations of money laundering and use of illegal funds during election against Baghel.

Shubham Soni, wanted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, has released a video from Dubai, NDTV reported citing sources.

The video levels several serious allegations against Baghel, with Soni claiming that his visit to the UAE was on the advice of the Chhattisgarh CM.

Soni also claimed that he was the "real owner" of the Mahadev betting app that came under the central probe agencies' scanner through huge profits.

Earlier last week, the ED had seized cash amounting to Rs 5.39 crore from a courier called Asim Das.

The agency said that Das claimed that Shubham Soni had sent the money from Dubai for Bhupesh Baghel.

Additionally, investigators uncovered several undisclosed bank accounts associated with the betting application, and a sum of Rs 15.59 crore found in these accounts has been frozen.

Following the interrogation of Asim Das and the forensic analysis of his mobile phone along with an email from Shubham Soni, it has been found that "regular payments have been made in the past and so far around Rs 508 Crore have been paid by Mahadev App Promoters to Bhupesh Baghel, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh," sources were quoted as saying by NDTV.

BJP has accused the Congress party of utilizing 'illegal money' to finance their campaign for the upcoming state assembly elections.

During a rally in Durg last week, PM Modi criticized the Congress led Chhattisgarh government and accused it of exploiting every opportunity to deceive the public.

"Congress government in Chhattisgarh has not spared any chance to loot you. They have not even spared the name of 'Mahadev'. Just two days ago, a major action was taken (by the Enforcement Directorate) in Raipur and a huge pile of cash was recovered,"  PM Modi said, news agency PTI reported.

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel came under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after one of the couriers arrested with Rs 5 crore said he was supposed to give the money to a politician named 'Baghel'.

Earlier, Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani also criticised the Congress, accusing the party of using "hawala" money to finance their campaign in the state. The state is scheduled to vote on 7 and 17 November.

Hawala is an informal system of money transfer that operates without the physical movement of cash and relies on trust.

Mahadev app was involved in large-scale hawala operations to siphon off the proceeds of betting to offshore accounts.

Baghel has denied the allegations against him and claimed that the ED is making a "malicious attempt" to damage his reputation before the elections.

He further accused PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of takin the help of central investigation agencies after being unsuccessful in challenging the ruling Congress in the state.