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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned popular Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor in connection with the ongoing investigation into the infamous Mahadev online betting app case. Kapoor, known for his roles in numerous Bollywood films, has been summoned to appear before the ED on October 6. The summons come as a result of Kapoor’s association with the online betting app as an endorser.
ED sources have confirmed that Ranbir Kapoor will be questioned as a witness in the case. The agency’s officials aim to gather crucial information, including the timeline of Kapoor’s involvement in promoting the app, the remuneration he received for his promotional activities, and details regarding the mode of payment (whether it was by check or in cash). They also intend to inquire about any contracts or agreements related to his endorsement and the individuals he liaised with for promotional purposes.
The Mahadev Book app has come under intense scrutiny due to allegations of illegal money laundering activities. The company, promoted by Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, is suspected of running its operations from Dubai and engaging in money laundering through intricate benami accounts.
The case first came to light in February 2023 when Sourabh Chandrakar’s extravagant wedding made headlines. Reportedly, he spent a staggering Rs 200 crore in cash for the event, drawing attention to the illicit financial activities associated with the Mahadev app.
Recently, the ED conducted raids on the offices of several celebrity managers in Mumbai and Delhi as part of the same investigation, resulting in the seizure of cash worth Rs 2.50 crore.
Chandrakar’s high-profile wedding event was attended by some of Bollywood’s biggest names, including Tiger Shroff, Sunny Leone, Neha Kakkar, Vishal Dadlani, Elli AvrRam, Bharti Singh, Bhagyashree, Kriti Kharbanda, Nushrratt Bharuccha, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ali Asgar, Krushna Abhishek, and Sukhwinder Singh. These celebrities, too, have been associated with endorsing betting apps.
According to the ED, approximately Rs 112 crore was routed to an event management company for Chandrakar’s wedding through hawala channels, with an additional Rs 42 crore in cash used for bookings at upscale hotels.
It is expected that the listed celebrities who endorsed the betting apps will also receive summons from the ED as the investigation into the Mahadev online betting app case continues to unfold.
