The Mumbai Police handed over the case related to the Mahadev Book illegal betting app to the crime branch. Subsequently, a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed for further probing in the concerned matter.

It is worth mentioning that there were match fixing allegations being made against the operatives of the Mahadev Book app.

Mangesh Desai from the North Cyber Cell will head the investigation. SIT squad will also include one officer each from the Central Cyber Cell, Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU), and Anti-Extortion Cell.

A Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) officer will be joining the team further down the line. If needed, additions will be made to the team for the ongoing investigation.

As per Free Press Journal, the IT Cell was enforced in the probe to actively bust related part of the investigation. The case has links to online betting, transactions being carried through digital currencies.

Majority of accused Mahadev Book operatives absconding

The initial FIR for the case was filed with the Mumbai Police, however, it was later handed over to the crime branch. In the FIR, 32 individuals are accused of being involved in illegal betting and match fixing, with a few top operatives of betting activities.

Most of these individuals are currently absconding. The LIU officer joining the SIT will be looking into all relevant information on the accused.

SIT’s initial investigation confirmed Khiladi app as a subsidiary of Mahadev Book’s illegal betting network. The app is registered in Curaçao, like all others including 11XPlay, 99exch, Betbhai, BJ88, CBTF, Coexch99, Cricbet99, Fairbook247, Fairexchange, Fairplay, Laserbook247, Lotus365, Winbuzz, Reddy Anna, and SportsX9. All of these are also linked with Mahadev Book betting network.

Mahadev Book masterminds are believed to be hiding in Dubai and run the entire operations from there. Some politicians are also suspects under the matter, who have allegedly helped operatives run the illegal business smoothly.