Pioneer In Short

Mahadev Racket Still Active: ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has told a PMLA court in Raipur that the Mahadev online betting network and related websites generated about Rs 94,400 crore in alleged illegal earnings over the past decade. In its sixth prosecution complaint, the agency named 42 individuals and companies as accused, taking the total number of accused named across six chargesheets to 116. The ED has arrested 14 people and conducted searches at about 190 locations since opening the probe in 2022. The agency said the platform remained active through multiple mirror websites. It alleged that the network was promoted by Bhilai-based Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who later operated from Dubai.

Both, who deny the allegations, remain absconding and face extradition proceedings.

The latest complaint puts Mahadev’s alleged earnings since 2019 at Rs 75,000-80,000 crore, with Skyexchange and Lotus365 accounting for another Rs 11,000-12,000 crore and Rs 2,400 crore respectively.

The ED alleges that betting proceeds were routed through mule accounts, hawala, cryptocurrency and shell companies, with funds invested in overseas property and Indian equities.

He said he was prepared to face any outcome if it helped “awaken” the country. Wangchuk alleged that security personnel used automatic weapons against protesters and said those responsible for the deaths must be held accountable. He also backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s call for Shah’s resignation, while questioning Gandhi’s alleged silence over Ladakh. Wangchuk warned that a “people’s tribunal” would be formed if the inquiry report was not released. A shutdown was observed in Leh and Kargil on Wednesday to mark the anniversary. Wangchuk alleged that heavy security deployment restricted participation in Thursday’s commemoration. Ladakh Police rejected the allegations as “false, baseless, and misleading”, saying no one was prevented from attending the prayer meeting and that barricades were deployed for traffic and crowd management.

FSSAI moves to ban Analogue Paneer

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed prohibiting the manufacture and sale of non-dairy products being marketed as “paneer”, as the food regulator steps up action against adulteration and misleading claims. In a draft amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, FSSAI said the move was aimed at preventing consumers from being misled about a product’s nature and composition. Analogue paneer is made from constituents not derived from milk. Products already licensed or registered under the “Analogue in Dairy Context” category would have to discontinue using “paneer” in their nomenclature, labelling or marketing if the proposal is finalised. FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders within 60 days. The Health Ministry said the proposed amendment would ensure food products are accurately presented and help consumers make informed choices.

The proposal comes amid stepped-up enforcement by FSSAI against food businesses and e-commerce platforms over alleged misleading claims, labelling violations and hygiene-related offences.