Actor Sahil Khan was apprehended by the Mumbai police crime branch in Chattisgarh on Sunday morning concerning his involvement in the Mahadev betting app case. This action followed the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by the Bombay High Court. The police’s scrutiny of Khan, aged 47, revolves around the Mahadev betting app, an alleged platform facilitating unlawful gambling on a variety of games, ranging from card games to sports like badminton, tennis, football, and cricket.
Sahil Khan’s Involvement
The crime branch is delving into purportedly illicit transactions linking certain financial and real estate entities within the state to the backers of the Mahadev betting application. As per the FIR filed by the police, the scale of the scam is estimated at around Rs 15,000 crore.
The investigative spotlight currently encompasses Sahil Khan and 31 others. Authorities are meticulously scrutinizing their financial records, mobile devices, laptops, and other technical paraphernalia as part of the inquiry. Khan, renowned for his roles in films such as ‘Style’ and ‘Excuse Me’, has transitioned into the realm of fitness expertise.
In parallel developments, the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offence Wing (EOW) recently apprehended two individuals linked to the alleged illicit operations of the Mahadev online gaming and betting platform. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made nine arrests in connection with its separate investigation into the matter.
What About Mahadev Betting App Case
The FIR lodged by the ACB/EOW concerning the Mahadev betting app scandal implicates former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress party. Along with app promoters Ravi Uppal, Saurabh Chandrakar, Shubham Soni, Anil Kumar Agrawal, and 14 others. It outlines how the Mahadev book app promoters established an online platform for live betting and engaged in gambling activities through various social media channels like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram.
The FIR alleges that these promoters, along with panel operators and branch operators, orchestrated illegal betting operations. Retaining a significant portion of the illicit proceeds for themselves. According to the FIR, the promoters and operators amassed approximately ₹450 crore per month through the app. Following the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Furthermore, the FIR asserts that the panel operators funneled unlawful funds to the app promoters in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) via diverse bank accounts.
Sahil Khan, recognized for his roles in films like ‘Style’ (2001) and ‘Xcuse Me’ (2003), has ventured into the fitness domain and boasts a popular YouTube channel with over 2.8 million subscribers.