MUMBAI: Renowned Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has been issued a summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Mahadev App case, further deepening the intrigue surrounding this financial scandal. Kapoor is scheduled to appear for questioning on October 6, 2023, as the investigation continues to unravel the complex web of financial improprieties surrounding this case.
At the core of the investigation is the alleged involvement of Mahadev App's mastermind, Saurabh Chandrakar, and his partner, Ravi Uppal, in a substantial financial scam with suspected connections to the notorious underworld figure, Dawood Ibrahim. The accused are believed to have operated the Mahadev online book business from their base in Dubai, where they conducted activities illegal in India, such as online casinos and betting platforms.
The ED's scrutiny has now extended to encompass several prominent Bollywood celebrities who graced Saurabh Chandrakar's extravagant wedding bash in February 2023. The agency is meticulously examining the financial transactions that facilitated the appearances of these celebrities at the event, casting a spotlight on the funds used for their participation.
Among the notable attendees at the wedding were actors Tiger Shroff, Neha Kakkar, Elli Avram, Bharti Singh, Sunny Leone, Bhagyashree, Pulkit Samrat, Kriti Khabanda, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Krushna Abhishek, as well as renowned singers Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, along with comedians Ali Azgar and Vishal Dadlani. All of them are currently under the ED's scanner as part of the ongoing investigation.
This high-profile Mahadev App case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, focusing on the financial dealings of celebrities and their potential involvement in a scam intertwined with criminal networks. The ED's inquiries are expected to delve into financial transactions, contracts, and any suspicious money transfers associated with the celebrities' participation in the wedding festivities.
The Mahadev App, an online gambling platform, remains under intense scrutiny by both the ED and police authorities for its purported money laundering activities. Allegedly operated from Dubai, the company led by Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal is accused of engaging in money laundering through complex benami accounts. The scandal was brought to light in February 2023 when Chandrakar hosted a lavish wedding that reportedly cost a staggering Rs 200 crore in cash.
Prior to Kapoor's summons, the ED had conducted raids in various Indian cities, including Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhopal, as part of their efforts to unearth the intricate money laundering networks associated with the Mahadev betting app.
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