Centre has banned 22 illegal betting apps including controversial Mahadev Book. In an order issued on November 05, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology blocked 22 illegal betting apps and websites including Mahadev Book and Reddyannaprestopro. The Ministry took the step on the recommendation of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED recommended to the Centre for restricting illegal betting apps after investigation and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh. The ED has arrested Bhim Singh Yadav, a Constable in Chhattisgarh Police and Asim Das on the charge of money laundering in the case. Earlier in the day, the Congress accused the Centre of using ED to target Chhattisgarh government in view of Assembly elections in the state.
The statement clarifies that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued orders to block these 22 illegal betting apps and websites. This action stems from the Enforcement Directorate's investigations into an illegal betting app syndicate, and subsequent raids on Mahadev Book in Chhattisgarh revealed the app's unlawful operations.
Minister of Electronics and Information Technology R Chandrasekhar points out that the Chhattisgarh Government had the authority to request the shutdown of such websites/apps under Section 69A of the IT Act. However, they did not make any such requests during their 1.5-year investigation. The only request received was from the ED, which was promptly acted upon. Chandrasekhar noted that there was nothing preventing the Chhattisgarh Government from making similar requests.
Two individuals, Bhim Singh Yadav, a constable in the Chhattisgarh police, and Asim Das, are currently in custody for violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), according to the statement.
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