ED summons Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor in an illegal betting app case
Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bollywood actor, Ranbir Kapoor in connection with its probe into the illegal online betting application, Mahadev Book App case. The actor has been asked to join the probe on October 6.
The ED claims that the actor has endorsed the illegal app on social media and has accepted payments which the agency is treating as proceeds of crime (PoC) in the case.
Mahadev App is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites to enrol new users and create user IDs.
MahadevOnline Book is run from a central head office in the UAE and operates by franchising panel to its known associates on a 70:30 profit ratio, according to the ED. Unlike the real money gaming application which have a GST number and are registered in India, Mahadev app is into illegal betting and gambling with its masterminds operating from offshores.
“Since this is the first summon, Kapoor could present himself in person or represent himself through a representative,” said an official privy to the development.
The agency wants to know the contact and payment details from the actor. “Kapoor would have been approached by their associates in India.
We want to get details of the point person/s as the main accused are on the run and are suspected to be holed up in Dubai. Also the payments made to actor are suspected to be in cash, we want to know who made the payments, the timeline of these payments and if this was through any hawala operator,” added the official
Other than Kapoor, the ED is probing at least a dozen more celebrities, sport personalities and around a 100 social media influencers who promoted the illegal app and allegedly received payments through the PoC.
