A reputed Bollywood actor along with several others are now under Enforcement Directorate’s radar for allegedly receiving proceeds from Mahadev Book illegal betting app to attend a celebration party in Dubai.
The same was revealed after ED searched premises of an event management company in Mumbai’s Malad. During the search, ED found that Mahadev Book hired the company to organize an event in Dubai, UAE.
ED believes that the company received around Rs 40 crore from Mahadev Book to arrange celebrities for the upcoming event in Dubai. The money was presumably provided by Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal to bring in celebrities at a seven-star luxury hotel in Dubai, as per Hindustan Times.
According to sources, Mahadev Book’s party was supposed to be held in Ras Al-Khaimah in the UAE on 18th & 19th September. One of the top Khans and many other Bollywood celebrities were supposed to attend the event. However, the event is reportedly being postponed following the ED raids on people close to Chandrakar and Uppal. The ED is now on an international manhunt to extradite the Mahadev Book masterminds.
ED recently booked police four operators of Mahadev Book, including officials and close relatives of Saurabh Chandrakar. The court has granted ED an additional seven-day judicial custody for the accused for further interrogation on the matter.
Not the first case of celebrity involvement in illegal betting platforms’ events
Celebrities and illegal betting platforms have a long-running relationship now. Several top tier celebrities and many local influencers promote such illegal and offshore platforms. These people call offshore illegal betting apps legal and dupe their fans for financial gains.
Fairplay, another illegal betting platform, hosted an event in Phuket, Thailand back in April. Many top-tier celebrities took part in the event, which took place during IPL 2023 season. Popular artist Badshah even created FairPlay Anthem and performed it during the private concert.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also released an advisory on the matter after increased celebrity involvements in such events.