Former ‘Bigg Boss’ contestant and television presenter Shefali Bagga has surrendered Rs 1.20 crore to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the agency’s investigation into the Mahadev Online Betting app syndicate, according to the ED’s latest chargesheet filed before a Raipur court.

The agency has alleged that Bagga was paid by members of the betting syndicate to promote the platform through promotional videos. The chargesheet states that she surrendered the amount after being questioned by investigators.

The development follows searches at Bagga’s Delhi residence in May, after which she was questioned twice by the ED as part of the probe.

ED claims Bagga received Rs 1.5 crore

According to the chargesheet, investigators found that Bagga had allegedly received around Rs 1.5 crore for promotional videos linked to the Mahadev betting syndicate.

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During the search of her residence, the ED said it recovered Rs 30 lakh in cash. Bagga subsequently surrendered another Rs 1.20 crore to the agency.

The ED has stated that Bagga told investigators she was unaware that the app was being operated illegally. The agency has also referred to her social media reach while examining the alleged promotion of the betting platform.

ED chargesheet names 42 people

The latest chargesheet reportedly names 42 people, including Vikas Garg, chairman of the Ebix Group, who was arrested by the ED in connection with the case.

The agency has alleged that Garg was involved in the alleged laundering and routing of proceeds generated by the Mahadev betting syndicate through alleged mastermind Harishankar Tibrewal. According to the ED, funds were allegedly moved through foreign portfolio investments and bonds into companies linked to Garg.

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The agency has further alleged that Garg, Tibrewal and their associates used the alleged proceeds of crime to manipulate the share prices of several listed companies.

Before Garg’s arrest, the ED had attached properties worth more than Rs 940 crore allegedly linked to him.

EaseMyTrip promoter Nishant Pitti named

EaseMyTrip promoter Nishant Pitti has also been named in the latest ED chargesheet.

The agency has alleged that more than Rs 59 crore in proceeds of crime were received from Tibrewal and subsequently routed through the network under investigation.

The chargesheet also states that Garg, who was associated with the BJP in Delhi, was removed from the party after his arrest in the case.

Mahadev app probe extends to Bollywood

The ED’s investigation into the Mahadev betting app syndicate has previously involved several Bollywood personalities, including actors, actresses, performers and singers.

The agency has questioned or summoned celebrities over their alleged connections with the syndicate. The probe has also examined celebrities who attended overseas events organised by the alleged promoters or their associates, as well as those who appeared in promotional content linked to the betting platform.

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According to the latest chargesheet, the alleged proceeds of crime generated by the Mahadev Online Betting syndicate exceed Rs 75,000 crore. The agency has indicated that the actual amount could be higher.

Mahadev app promoters Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, among others, continue to be wanted in the case, according to the ED. The agency has so far filed six chargesheets in its investigation.