Mahadev Betting Scam: CM Baghel faces more heat as Republic sting reveals 'Dubai' and D-gang link

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel seems to be facing the heat as the Republic sting operation in the multi-crore Mahadev betting app scam continues to reveal startling details.

Having been the only channel to sting the key characters of the scam, Republic has now unveiled the 'Dubai' link with the case as well as connections with the underworld.

In the second part of the sting operation, Republic spoke to another insider of the Mahadev app, who is said to be a close aide of the main accused Saurabh Chandrakar. He also alleged to have spoken to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who is accused of receiving more than Rs 500 crore in bribes from the app promoters. 

"I had a long conversation with the CM. 3-4 things were clear that the CM knew this (scam) was happening, but didn't know the intensity of the scam," Abhishek told Republic. 

Notably, another alleged aide of Chandrakar, Shubham Soni who claims to be the real owner of the Mahadev app, told Republic that he paid Rs 508 crore to the Chhattisgarh CM. He even claimed that it was Baghel who advised him on the operations of the app to Dubai.

Another insider of the Mahadev app and close aide of Chandrakar, Saurabh Shukla revealed how the betting empire was established in Dubai and the involvement of the D-Gang.

When asked about Chandrakar and his links to Dubai, Shukla said, "He directly didn't go to Dubai. He is very smart. He goes via people who are linked to Dubai. He first started his operation here in India, anyone can start these operations. The point is that he uses other smaller operation and link them with his operation and make it big."

Shukla also told Republic that Chandrakar has ambitions to grow bigger than Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar by 2024. "When I was in Dubai, I heard him say this to his friend," Shukla said.

He revealed that he was one of the panel members of the betting platform and was in Dubai for four-and-a-half months.

Shukla went on to reveal that Chandrakar's business goes beyond betting as it includes gold smuggling, and hawala and has links to the D-gang. According to Shukla, Chandrakar has a business of Rs 60,000 crore to Rs 70,000 in the last three years.

"He (Chandrakar) has a connection with Pakistan, Dawood. Without his support, Saurabh can't run operations from Dubai. Money is being sent to Dawood every month," he said.