The Enforcement Directorate claimed on Friday that it has recorded a statement of a ‘cash courier’ who alleged that the promoters of the Mahadev betting app intended to pay ₹5.39 crore to “one Politician Baghel” for upcoming Assembly election expenses in the state of Chhattisgarh.

The courier, Asim Das, has been arrested by the agency after it recovered ₹5.39 crore from him. He was allegedly sent by the app promoters from the UAE “especially, to deliver large amount of cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party”.

However, the probe agency also said “these allegation are subject to investigation”.

The Mahadev online betting app and its promoters are being investigated by the ED under the anti-money laundering law.

The Directorate of Enforcement acting on an intelligence input that a large amount of cash is being moved in Chhattisgarh by the promoters of the Mahadev App in relation to the Assembly elections.

“On Nov 2, Directorate of Enforcement (ED) received intelligence input that a large amount of cash is being moved in Chhattisgarh by the promoters of Mahadev APP in relation to Assembly Elections scheduled on 7th & 17th of November, 2023. ” the ED said.

ED conducted searches at Hotel Triton and another location in Bhilai and successfully intercepted a Cash Courier Asim Das who was sent from UAE especially, to deliver large amount of Cash for electioneering expenses of the ruling Congress Party.” the Enforcement Directorate tweeted.

“ED has recovered a cash amount of ₹5.39 Crore (from his Car & at his residence). Asim Das has admitted that the seized funds were arranged by the Mahadev APP promoters to be delivered to one Politician ‘Baghel’ for upcoming election expenses in the state of Chhattisgarh”, claimed ED.

It has earlier said that the alleged illegal funds generated by the app were shared as bribes to politicians and bureaucrats in the state even as it has summoned many celebrities and Bollywood actors for questioning on the mode of payment and their links with the online betting platform.

According to news agency PTI report a forensic analysis and a statement made by the ‘cash courier’ have led to “startling allegations” that Mahadev betting app promoters have paid about ₹508 crore to Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel so far.

Chhattisgarh goes to polls in two phases of November 7 and November 17.