New Delhi: A trouble mounted for EaseMyTrip co-founder Nishant Pitti as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheeted him in the Mahadev online betting
app money laundering case. Pitti was charged with “facilitating” the proceeds of illegal betting into the equity market under the pretext of foreign portfolio investments, reported PTI. Pitti's DEMAT shares worth Rs 59.60 crore were also attached by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The action was taken while the agency filed its chargesheet before a special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on September 10. The federal probe agency has sought the court's approval to “confiscate” these shares, alleging that these are “proceeds of crime” under the anti-money laundering law. Officials told PTI that the charges against Pitti were detailed in the fifth supplementary chargesheet filed before a special PMLA court in Raipur. Meanwhile, the EaseMyTrip co-founder later issued a statement, saying he was not aware of any chargesheet, nor was he summoned by the court. “Hence, I have nothing to say on the matter. I have always cooperated with and shall continue to cooperate with all the law enforcement bodies. I shall submit detailed evidence to establish my bona fide conduct, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law,” he said. The company said in a statement that Easy Trip Planners Limited, the holding company of EaseMyTrip, has not received any formal intimation of legal proceedings against the firm or its director Nishant Pitti. The ED named 42 individuals and companies in the chargesheet, including EBIX Group Chairman Vikas Garg (53). The agency arrested Garg in July after raiding his Delhi home. He is currently lodged in jail under judicial custody. Soon after his arrest, the Delhi BJP removed Garg as its economic cell convenor and also cancelled his primary party membership. The Mahadev app, also referred to as the Mahadev Online Book (MOB), is allegedly operated and promoted by Chhattisgarh-based businessmen Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who are currently absconding. The platform is alleged to have generated proceeds of crime amounting to around Rs 80,000 crore since 2019. The duo has an Interpol Red Notice issued against them. The ED carried out searches against Pitti in April 2025 and questioned him thrice, including twice this August. The agency said in the chargesheet that the evidence gathered shows that Pitti was a close associate of Hari Shankar Tibrewal, the Dubai-based owner of illegal betting platform Skyexchange. The ED has so far arrested 14 persons, attached assets worth Rs 1,885 crore, named 116 accused in its six chargesheets and conducted searches on 190 premises across the country in the PMLA case registered in October 2022. (With inputs from PTI)
