Mumbai, April 29 The arrest of actor Sahil Khan in Jagdalpur Chhattisgarh, over his alleged involvement in the Mahadev betting app controversy has put the spotlight on the 17th Bollywood celebrity or influencer entangled in the scandal.
Sahil Khan’s detention adds to the list of personalities under scrutiny by central and state agencies. The recent summoning of Tamannaah Bhatia by the Maharashtra Police cyber cell for her suspected association with a subsidiary app further fuels the discussions online.
These developments prompt comparisons with past incidents where Bollywood figures were linked to the underworld, particularly fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Last year Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor were questioned by the Enforcement Directorate for endorsing the betting app, while Kapil Sharma’s name surfaced in the investigations after attending the app founder’s wedding.
Actresses Hina Khan and Huma Qureshi have also faced inquiries regarding their involvement in the app’s promotion and the financial transactions associated with it. Additionally, statements from rapper Badshah and the managers of Sanjay Dutt and Jacqueline Fernandez have been recorded by the Maharashtra Police Cyber Cell.
The Mahadev app, known for offering betting channels on various sports and games, including cricket and poker, is under scrutiny for allegedly operating a rigged system, resulting in significant financial losses for players while yielding substantial profits for the company, estimated at Rs 5,000 crore.
Authorities are investigating the app’s owners for potential money laundering through complex networks of bank accounts and suspected ties to Pakistani hawala operators, local politicians, and businessmen.
As the investigation unfolds, the Bollywood community finds itself entangled in a web of controversy, raising questions about the industry associations and ethical standards.