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Raipur, March 26, 2025: In a major development, CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) today conducted raids in 60 locations spread over at least 4 states like Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Delhi, besides former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in Mahadev Book online betting scam.
CBI sources said “In the investigation of Mahadev Book online betting scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation is conducting searches at 60 locations today”.
“The raids are conducted across Chhattisgarh, Bhopal, Kolkata, and Delhi, including premises linked to politicians, senior bureaucrats, police officers, key functionaries of Mahadev Book and other private individuals suspected of involvement in the case,” the sources said.
The case pertains to the illegal operations of Mahadev Book, an online betting platform promoted by Ravi Uppal and Saurabh Chandrakar, both of whom are currently based in Dubai.
“Investigations have revealed that the promoters allegedly paid substantial amounts as “protection money” to public servants to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of their illegal betting network,” the sources said.
Initially the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Raipur had registered a case and was subsequently transferred to the CBI by the Chhattisgarh Government for a comprehensive probe into the role of senior public officials and other accused persons.
In the course of searches incriminating digital and documentary evidences have been found and seized and searches are continuing, the sources said.
Meanwhile, the CBI today conducted raids in the multiple locations of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and at least four of his close IPS officers and other close confidants of the top Congress leader.
CBI raided the official residence at Civil Lines Raipur and Bhilai residence of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel related to Mahadev App online gambling scam.
The sleuths of CBI also raided the premises of some of the close associates of Baghel, who were running the show in the previous Congress government when he was the Chief Minister.
Some of the top police officers, including former SPs of Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg have also been in today’s action.
CBI also reached the premises of one of the additional SP rank officers in Raipur and as the door was locked, the central agency have sealed the locks.
Although CBI has not named the IPS officers who are being raided, but the media reports claimed that the CBI have raided the premises of former state Intelligence Head Anand Chhabra, senior IPS officers Arif Sheikh, Prashant Agrawal and Abhishesk Pallav.
The central agency also raided the premises of some other people, who are close confidants of the former Chief Minister.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is currently the AICC General Secretary in charge of Punjab and the CBI raids are related to Mahadev online gambling (satta) scam.
Many of the people, who are facing CBI raids today, have also been in the net of Enforcement Directorate and ED had also recently raided the house of former Chief Minister Baghel at Bhilai.
On March 10, 2025 ED (Enforcement Directorate) had conducted an early morning raid on the Bhilai residence of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for his son’s alleged involvement in liquor scam.
Reports suggested that the ED conducted raids in multiple locations of Chhattisgarh for alleged involvement of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in the liquor scam.
Baghel was voted out from power in 2023 Assembly election and both the father and son live in their Bhilai home.
Sleuth from the ED also raided the premises of people close to Chaitanya, media reports stated.
Several top bureaucrats and Kawasi Lakhma, who was Excise Minister in Bhupesh Baghel cabinet, are currently in jail, waiting for completion of trial, for their alleged involvement in the liquor scam.
