In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on a massive online betting operation with deep connections to professional cricket. The probe has now led to the attachment of properties valued at over ₹100 crore linked to the controversial Mahadev Book App.
The Betting Empire Unraveled
According to official sources, the ED has identified several prominent cricketers—both current and former—who are allegedly involved in promoting and facilitating illegal betting activities through the Mahadev platform. While names haven't been officially disclosed, insiders suggest the investigation spans multiple formats of the game, including international and domestic cricket.
How the Operation Worked
The sophisticated betting network operated through a multi-layered system:
- The Mahadev Book App served as the primary platform for placing bets
- Cricketers allegedly promoted the app to their extensive fan bases
- Transactions were routed through shell companies and hawala networks
- Proceeds were laundered through legitimate businesses and property investments
Massive Financial Trail
The scale of the operation is staggering. The ED has traced transactions worth hundreds of crores, with the attached properties representing just a fraction of the total proceeds. Investigators have revealed that the betting syndicate operated across multiple states, with key operatives based in Dubai and other international locations.
Previous Actions and Ongoing Investigation
This isn't the first major move in this case. The ED had previously attached properties worth ₹417 crore in January, followed by another ₹130 crore in April. The current attachment brings the total value of seized assets in this case to nearly ₹650 crore.
"The investigation has revealed that the promoters of the Mahadev Online Book arranged dummy bookings and used a network of benamidars to camouflage the illegal proceeds of crime," an ED official stated.
Impact on Indian Cricket
The revelation of cricketers' involvement has raised serious questions about integrity in the sport. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is monitoring the situation closely, with potential implications for players' careers and team selections.
Sports lawyers suggest that players found guilty could face lifetime bans under BCCI's anti-corruption code, which strictly prohibits any association with betting activities.
What's Next in the Investigation?
The ED is expected to:
- Issue fresh summons to the identified cricketers for questioning
- Expand the probe to include more financial transactions
- Coordinate with international agencies to track foreign assets
- File supplementary charge sheets in the coming weeks
As the investigation continues to unfold, cricket fans and authorities alike await further developments in what appears to be one of the biggest betting scandals to hit Indian cricket in recent years.
