Mumbai Police Arrest Actor Sahil Khan in Mahadev Betting App Case: Bollywood Celebrities Under Scanner
News Mania / Agnibeena Ghosh/ 29th April 2024
Actor and influencer Sahil Khan found himself in legal trouble as the Mumbai police arrested him for his alleged involvement in the Mahadev betting app case. This development emerged amidst a broader investigation by agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) targeting various betting and gaming apps, which implicated several Bollywood celebrities.
Sahil Khan’s arrest occurred after the Mumbai cyber cell’s Special Investigating Team (SIT) apprehended him in Chhattisgarh. His plea for pre-arrest bail was rejected by the Bombay High Court, leading to his apprehension. However, Khan maintained that he was merely a brand promoter under contract with M/s. Isports247, promoting The Lion Book brand, and denied any direct association with the betting platform.
The Mahadev betting app case has ensnared multiple Bollywood figures, drawing attention from investigative agencies like the ED. One of the key incidents that brought several celebrities under scrutiny was their participation in events organized by app promoter Sourabh Chandrakar. These events included Chandrakar’s wedding in February 2023 and the company’s success party in September 2022. Notable personalities such as Shraddha Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, and Sonakshi Sinha were among those implicated for their involvement.
In October 2023, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor was summoned by the ED as part of its probe into the Mahadev online betting app scam. Similarly, comedian-turned-actor Kapil Sharma was also called in for questioning by the probe agency for his participation in an event organized by Saurabh Chandrakar, the app’s founder.
Besides Kapoor and Sharma, actresses Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan were also summoned in connection with their promotional activities for the app. Investigative agencies sought to understand their roles and the compensation they received for their endorsements, with the ED alleging that such payments constituted proceeds of crime.
The Mahadev betting app case underscores the broader challenges associated with the proliferation of online betting and gaming platforms and their alleged links to illegal activities. While the investigation is ongoing, the involvement of Bollywood celebrities has drawn significant attention, raising questions about their endorsements and engagements with such platforms.
The arrests and summons of prominent figures like Sahil Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Kapil Sharma, Huma Qureshi, and others highlight the serious legal repercussions that individuals may face for their association with questionable enterprises. As the probe continues, it remains to be seen how Bollywood’s ties to the Mahadev betting app and similar cases will unfold and impact the industry’s reputation.
