New Delhi. Centre Government has banned Mahadev Book and 21 other betting apps and websites including Mahadev Book and Reddyannaprestopro apps. In an order issued by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology blocked 22 illegal betting apps and websites.
The Ministry took the step on the recommendation of the Enforcement Directorate. The ED recommended to the Centre for restricting illegal betting app after investigation and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh. The ED has arrested Bhim Singh Yadav, a Constable in Chhattisgarh Police and Asim Das on the charge of money laundering in the case.
The ED has been investigating the promoters of the Mahadev online betting app under a money-laundering case and has conducted raids on its premises in Chhattisgarh. On October 23, the investigating agency filed its first chargesheet in relation to the case.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “Chhattisgarh Government had all the power to recommend shutting down of website/app under Sec 69A IT Act. However, they did not do so and no such request was made by the State Government while they have been investigating it for the last 1.5 years”.
“In fact, the first and only request has been received from ED and it has been acted upon. Nothing prevented the Chhattisgarh Government from making similar requests,” he added.
The owners of Mahadev Book are currently in custody, having been arrested under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for allegedly laundering money.
The ED has named 14 persons in the prosecution complaint, including alleged main promoters of the Mahadev Book app.
