A sessions court in Bombay on December 13 rejected the anticipatory bail plea of actor Sahil Khan in the Mahadev Betting App case. Judge Abhay A. Joglekar took into account the prosecution’s submissions that there was prima facie involvement of the actor who should, therefore, not be granted anticipatory bail.
A social worker had told the police that several accused named in the case had caused an estimated loss of Rs. 15,000 crore to the Indian government towards taxes by operating illegal online betting and gambling apps.
It was argued on behalf of Sahil Khan that the allegations made in the FIR did not prima facie constitute any offence or make out a case against him. It was also submitted by the actor’s lawyer that the FIR did not disclose any single offence as alleged more or less committed by him.
In a reply submitted by public prosecutor Abhijeet Gondwal, the police said that Sahil was the owner of the interconnected betting platform and was a part of the illegal betting syndicate and that he prima facie appeared to be involved in the fraud. The police also said that the social worker’s statement mentioned that fugitive terror accused Dawood Ibrahim’s brother was also involved in the illegal betting business in India. According to the police, Sahil Khan was promoting and advertising an unauthorised betting site in the name of Lion Book.