Sports presenter and former Bigg Boss 13 contestant Shefali Bagga appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a second consecutive day of questioning on Friday in connection with the Mahadev online betting app money laundering case. She reached the ED's zonal office in Raipur around 11 am, where officials continued recording her statement.

Bagga had earlier been questioned for nearly five hours on Thursday after appearing before the agency in response to a fresh summons. According to the ED, she had not appeared despite receiving multiple earlier summons.

ED Probing Alleged Promotion of Betting Apps

The Enforcement Directorate is investigating the alleged promotion of online betting applications linked to the Mahadev betting network.

According to the agency, digital evidence recovered during the investigation suggests that Shefali Bagga allegedly promoted betting platforms operated from overseas, particularly from Dubai and London. Investigators claim they have identified promotional content and online material allegedly featuring the sports presenter.

The agency is also examining whether she received any financial benefits for promoting these platforms.

Telegram Channel Under Scanner

The ED has alleged that Bagga used a Telegram channel to share betting-related promotional links, referral codes and betting tips.

Officials are analysing digital records, communication details and financial transactions to determine whether there was any monetary connection with the Mahadev betting syndicate or its associates.

Alleged Links to Hawala Operator

The investigation is also focusing on the alleged connection between Bagga and Khanjan Jagdish Kumar Thakkar, whom the ED has described as a key hawala operator associated with the Mahadev Online Book network.

The agency is examining the nature of the alleged relationship and any financial transactions between the two.

Shefali Bagga Denies Allegations

Speaking to reporters after Thursday's questioning, Shefali Bagga denied all allegations against her.

She maintained that the accusations were "completely false" and said she was cooperating with the investigation.

Background

The Mahadev Online Book case is one of India's largest alleged online betting and money laundering investigations. The Enforcement Directorate has been probing the network for alleged illegal betting operations, hawala transactions and money laundering involving multiple individuals, promoters and financial intermediaries.

The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been established against Shefali Bagga at this stage.

The political temperature in West Bengal rose sharply on Saturday after reports emerged that veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay met senior BJP leader Bhupender Yadav in New Delhi. The development has triggered fresh speculation about a possible shift in political allegiance by one of the TMC’s most experienced parliamentarians at a time when the party is grappling with internal challenges and mounting pressure from investigative agencies.

According to sources, Bandyopadhyay was accompanied by TMC MP Satabdi Roy during the meeting at Yadav’s residence in the national capital. The discussion reportedly lasted for a considerable period, fueling rumors that a significant political decision could be on the horizon.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of growing turbulence within the Trinamool Congress following its disappointing performance in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Reports suggest that several party legislators and parliamentarians have distanced themselves from the current leadership, raising questions about the party’s internal cohesion.

Political Speculation Intensifies

Sources familiar with the developments claim that a section of rebel TMC MPs has already conveyed support for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and communicated their position to the Lok Sabha Speaker. If Bandyopadhyay were to join the group, it could further weaken the TMC’s parliamentary strength and strengthen the BJP’s position in West Bengal politics.

Neither Bandyopadhyay nor the BJP has officially commented on the reports. However, the timing of the meeting has attracted significant political attention, particularly as the state prepares for a new phase of political realignment following the Assembly election outcome.

Political observers believe the next few days could prove crucial in determining whether the meeting was merely exploratory or part of a larger political move.

Investigations Add Pressure

The political speculation coincided with dramatic developments involving TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. A large contingent of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police personnel reached Banerjee’s Kalighat residence in the early hours of Saturday. Central Armed Police Force personnel were also deployed outside the premises.

According to local sources, police officers arrived shortly after 3 a.m. and remained at the residence for several hours. While the purpose of the operation has not been officially disclosed, a seizure list prepared after the search reportedly recorded no recovery of incriminating material. Under the section describing seized articles, the document reportedly carried the entry “NIL.”

The police action comes amid multiple investigations involving Banerjee. Earlier this week, he was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for more than five hours in connection with an alleged Assembly signature forgery case. He has also been summoned again in connection with a separate cyber complaint.

Adding to the pressure, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Banerjee for questioning regarding the alleged primary teacher recruitment scam. Officials have scheduled his appearance before the agency on June 15.

Wider Probe Continues

The scrutiny of TMC leaders did not end there. On Saturday morning, ED officials conducted searches at several locations linked to TMC MLA Madan Mitra as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged municipal recruitment scam.

Search teams reportedly visited Mitra’s residences in Kamarhati and Bhawanipur, along with other locations connected to the probe. According to sources, searches were carried out across eight different premises.

The developments have intensified political debate in West Bengal, with opposition parties accusing the TMC leadership of facing increasing legal and administrative challenges. Meanwhile, TMC leaders have repeatedly alleged that investigative agencies are being used for political purposes, a charge denied by central authorities.

Fuel rates have already climbed Rs 7.5 per litre since May, with another Rs 2.5 hike possible; silver breaches Rs 2.65 lakh per kg mark.

 Indian consumers may have to brace for another round of fuel price hikes as oil marketing companies consider raising petrol and diesel rates by up to Rs 2.5 per litre in the coming days, according to a report by rating agency Crisil released on Tuesday.

Oil Companies Under Pressure

Petrol and diesel prices have already increased by approximately Rs 7.5 per litre since May 15, and state-run oil marketing companies have been gradually paring losses amid rising global crude prices. With international crude oil averaging around USD 112 per barrel during the first two months of the current financial year, significantly higher than earlier estimates, the pressure on retail margins has intensified.

Crisil noted that cumulative hikes could move closer to Rs 10 per litre in the near term if global crude prices stay elevated.

Inflation Concerns Mounting

The impact of higher fuel prices is expected to ripple through the broader economy. Road transport accounts for roughly 71 per cent of India‘s freight movement, and fuel makes up nearly 42 per cent of transport operators’ expenses. Crisil estimates that the Rs 7.5 per litre increase already adds about 36 basis points to consumer price index inflation. If fuel prices rise further to Rs 10 per litre, the total impact could approach 48 basis points.

Food items dependent on transportation networks — including dairy, fruits, vegetables, pulses, spices, tea, coffee, eggs, meat and fish — are likely to feel the heat first. Manufacturing sectors such as clothing, consumer electronics, cement, ceramics, chemicals, coal and metal-related products are also expected to see higher input costs.

ED Conducts Searches at Vedanta Offices

In a separate development, the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at multiple premises of the Vedanta Group in Delhi, Mumbai and Udaipur as part of a probe into alleged Foreign Exchange Management Act violations. Officials familiar with the matter said the investigation is examining transactions related to brand royalty payments made by the Indian subsidiary to its UK-based parent company, Vedanta Resources.

The searches, which began on Monday and continued through Tuesday, are being conducted under the civil provisions of FEMA. The probe is reportedly looking into an instance from 2023 where Vedanta Resources refunded a portion of the brand fee to Vedanta Ltd. A spokesperson for the mining conglomerate said the company was extending full cooperation to the authorities.

South Korea Overtakes India in Market Cap

India‘s stock market ranking slipped a notch as South Korea overtook it to become the world’s sixth-largest equity market. Data compiled by Bloomberg showed that the total market capitalisation of South Korea-listed companies surged 86 per cent this year to USD 5 trillion, driven largely by chip-making giants riding the artificial intelligence wave. Meanwhile, India‘s market capitalisation declined to USD 4.8 trillion.

Despite the shift in market cap ranking, India’s economy, valued at USD 4.15 trillion, remains considerably larger than South Korea's USD 1.93 trillion GDP, according to IMF estimates.

Silver Prices Breach Rs 2.65 Lakh Per Kg

Bullion markets also saw sharp moves, with silver prices jumping Rs 2,050 per kg to reach Rs 2.65 lakh. Ten grams of 24-carat gold climbed Rs 758 to trade at Rs 1.56 lakh, according to India Bullion and Jewellers Association data.

Markets Stay Cautious

On the equity front, benchmark indices ended Tuesday with modest losses. The Sensex closed 77 points lower at 81,373.75, while the Nifty slipped 34 points to settle at 24,716.60 amid cautious sentiment.

Supporters of former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan allegedly attacked an Enforcement Directorate team shortly after it conducted searches at his residence here on Wednesday, damaging vehicles and creating a tense situation near Bakery Junction.

The 12-member ED team had arrived to carry out raids linked to a money laundering case involving Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena’s IT firm, Exalogic Solutions, and the Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL). The operation, which also covered multiple other locations, triggered protests by CPI(M) workers, who reportedly hurled stones and smashed windows of the vehicles used by the central agency team.

Violent protests erupt near former CM’s house

Local reports and visuals from the spot showed agitated party workers gathering outside Vijayan’s residence as the raids progressed. Police forces were deployed both outside and inside the premises to manage the situation. Despite the unrest, the ED team completed its searches and returned safely to its zonal office, officials said. However, the vehicles sustained significant damage, and authorities indicated that legal action would follow against those involved in the attack.

Vijayan calls raid a political move

Reacting sharply to the development, Pinarayi Vijayan said the ED had been trying to conduct such a raid for a long time. He remarked that the action would “give satisfaction to certain people,” apparently referring to political rivals. The veteran CPI(M) leader alleged that central agencies were being selectively used against opposition parties by the BJP-led Centre.

Vijayan also referred to recent remarks by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and claimed that such actions were part of a larger pattern of “deliberate attacks” on opposition voices. He asserted that these moves would not weaken his party or the larger resistance against the central government. “None of this is going to end us,” Vijayan said, adding that strong support from party workers and local people during the incident reflected the organisational strength of the CPI(M).

Kejriwal accuses misuse of agencies

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also weighed in, condemning the raid as another instance of central agencies being misused to target opposition leaders. His reaction comes amid a string of similar actions against leaders of non-BJP parties in different states.

Background of the money laundering case

The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in 2024. It stems from allegations that CMRL paid around ₹1.72 crore to Exalogic Solutions during 2018-19, shown as expenses for software and IT services that were allegedly never provided. The total money laundering probe is reportedly linked to transactions worth Rs 182 crore. 

The issue gained fresh traction after the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by CMRL on Tuesday seeking to cancel the ED investigation. The raids followed within 24 hours.

Political heat rises in Kerala

The development has intensified the already charged political atmosphere in Kerala. The Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by CPI(M), has long accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies. The ruling front in the state has described the action as politically motivated, especially ahead of key political developments.

Security remained tight around the former Chief Minister’s residence even as the searches concluded. Party supporters maintained a strong presence, projecting it as a show of unity against what they called “vendetta politics.”

What lies ahead

With the ED likely to analyse the material gathered during the raids, further summons or actions cannot be ruled out. The incident also raises questions about the security of central agency teams during sensitive operations in politically sensitive areas.

Opposition parties in Kerala, including the Congress-led UDF, are watching the developments closely. While some have maintained a cautious stand, the episode is expected to dominate political discourse in the coming days.

The case continues to be under investigation by both the ED and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). Legal experts suggest that the outcome could have implications not just for the individuals involved but also for the broader narrative of Centre-state relations and agency autonomy. 

When a Name Change Is Not Enough: Inside the Sehore Dairy Factory Scandal

A factory under active investigation by the Enforcement Directorate. Its director arrested and produced before a special court. Sixty-three forged laboratory certificates uncovered. Foreign exchange fraud worth nearly ₹21 crore. And yet — the production line keeps running, this time under a new name.

This is not a plot from a crime thriller. This is the on-ground reality unfolding at a dairy factory in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, and it raises an urgent question that goes far beyond one company: when institutions look the other way, can simply renaming a business be enough to beat the law?

The Factory, the Brand, and the Fraud

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at nine locations across Madhya Pradesh linked to Jayshri Gayatri Food Products Pvt. Ltd. — a private firm accused of producing and distributing adulterated milk products both domestically and internationally, using forged laboratory certificates to pass off substandard goods as certified quality produce.

Better known by its retail brand "Milk Magic," the company initially positioned itself as a business-to-business exporter, dealing in paneer, cheese, butter, curd, flavoured milk, and pure milk. It claimed to export to more than 28 countries including the US, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and New Zealand.

On paper, a thriving export success story. In reality, a carefully constructed facade built on falsified paperwork.

63 Forged Certificates and ₹20.59 Crore in Illicit Foreign Exchange

ED investigation revealed that Jayshri Gayatri Food Products manufactured adulterated milk products and used falsified laboratory certificates — purportedly issued by BIS/NABL recognised labs — to secure export certification from the Export Inspection Agency (EIA) in Indore. Verification showed that these certificates were either originally issued to other companies, outright forged, or fraudulently obtained. During the course of the investigation, 63 such forged lab certificates were identified.

The company exported dairy products using fake laboratory test reports and earned foreign exchange worth ₹20.59 crore through this fraudulent channel. Following arrest, director Kishan Modi was produced before a special PMLA court in Bhopal, which remanded him to ED custody for further questioning.

The scale of deception is staggering. These were not minor clerical errors — this was a systematic, multi-year criminal enterprise that put adulterated food on plates across the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

The Rebrand Trick: India's Oldest Corporate Escape Route

What makes the Sehore case especially alarming is what came next. Instead of shutting down during the ED probe, the factory reportedly changed its name and continued operations — producing and supplying as if nothing had happened. This tactic is neither new nor unique to this case. It is a well-worn playbook: dissolve or rename the entity, argue that the new legal name bears no connection to the accused firm, and continue business as usual while courts and agencies play catch-up.

The entire investigation was originally triggered by a complaint from Bhagwan Singh Rajput, a former ABVP member and RTI activist, who approached the Madhya Pradesh Economic Offences Wing alleging large-scale adulteration, forgery of certificates, and the accumulation of properties by the firm's directors in the names of their employees.

That a single whistleblower's persistence triggered this entire investigation is both inspiring and damning — inspiring because civil accountability still works, and damning because it took a citizen activist to force the system into motion.

Who Else Was Affected?

The ripple effects of this fraud reach far beyond Sehore's industrial belt. Reports indicate that Jubilant FoodWorks — the operator of the Domino's India franchise — rejected quintals of frozen paneer supplied by Jayshri Gayatri Food Products on grounds of substandard quality. Similarly, Keventer Agro Limited had rejected a consignment of 25 tonnes of skimmed milk powder due to unacceptably high ash content.

These are not minor quality complaints. These are red flags that, had they been escalated and investigated earlier, might have stopped years of fraudulent exports and domestic distribution.

What This Means for Food Safety in India

The Sehore dairy fraud exposes a dangerous gap at the heart of India's food safety ecosystem. Export Inspection Agencies rely heavily on lab certificates submitted by companies. If those certificates are forged, the entire verification chain collapses. The result: adulterated products labelled as premium quality reach households in India and consumers in over two dozen countries — with no one the wiser.

Renaming a factory does not erase its machinery, its workforce, its supply chain, or its criminal liability under PMLA. The law is clear. What is needed now is equally clear:

• Immediate sealing of premises linked to accused entities under investigation
• Cross-agency coordination between ED, FSSAI, and Export Inspection Agencies
• Mandatory disclosure when a company under investigation changes its legal name
• Faster trial timelines so that arrests translate into genuine accountability

A Name Change Is Not a Clean Slate

Fraud cases of this magnitude rarely exist in a vacuum. They survive because of institutional gaps, delayed enforcement, and the ease with which accused entities can reinvent themselves on paper.

The consumers who bought "Milk Magic" products trusted a brand. That trust was betrayed systematically, over years, across borders. A factory that simply hangs a new nameplate over its gate is not a reformed business. It is the same fraud, wearing a new disguise.

India's food safety and financial crime enforcement must move faster — and smarter — than the criminals they pursue.

Do ED Officers Lose Their Rights on Duty? Supreme Court's Sharp Question Puts Mamata Banerjee in the Dock

In a courtroom exchange that cut to the heart of India's constitutional framework, the Supreme Court on Tuesday asked a question that silenced lawyers on both sides: "Do ED officers cease to be citizens of India merely because they work for the Enforcement Directorate?"

The pointed remark from a bench of Justices P.K. Mishra and N.V. Anjaria came during the hearing of a petition filed by the ED against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, over her alleged interference in search operations at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC on January 8, 2026. The case has snowballed into one of the most significant constitutional showdowns of the year — pitting federal law enforcement against state political power.

What Happened at I-PAC on January 8?

The ED was conducting searches at I-PAC's Salt Lake office and the residence of its co-founder Pratik Jain, as part of a money laundering investigation linked to a ₹2,742 crore coal smuggling scam involving businessman Anup Majee.

What happened next was extraordinary. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the premises alongside Trinamool Congress leaders and senior Kolkata Police officers. According to the ED, she removed a laptop, a mobile phone, and several files from the premises. The agency alleged that search operations had to be abruptly ended under coercion, and the panchnama (search memo) recording "peaceful" proceedings was signed under duress.

Banerjee's defence: the material she removed contained confidential Trinamool Congress party data, not evidence related to the probe. Her party denied any obstruction.

The West Bengal Police then filed FIRs against the ED officers themselves — a move the Supreme Court has since stayed.

The Constitutional Question at the Core

Today's hearing zeroed in on a critical legal issue: can the ED file a petition under Article 32 of the Constitution — a remedy traditionally available only to citizens whose fundamental rights are violated?

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the West Bengal government, argued that the ED is neither a person nor a citizen, and therefore cannot invoke fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21. Obstruction in performing statutory duty, he argued, does not automatically amount to a fundamental rights violation.

But the bench sharply pushed back. It noted that apart from the agency itself, individual ED officers had also filed petitions in their personal capacity as citizens. The court told Sibal: "Please concentrate on the fundamental rights of the officers of the ED qua whom the offence has been committed. Otherwise you will miss the point."

The message was unmistakable — even if the ED as an institution has limited standing, its officers as individuals retain full constitutional rights.

Why This Case Is Bigger Than Mamata Banerjee

This case is not just about one Chief Minister. It sets a precedent for how far state governments can go in resisting or obstructing central agency investigations.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, argued that this reflects a disturbing pattern — not an isolated incident. He alleged that the Joint Director's residence was gheraoed, frantic calls were made by officers fearing for their safety, and that allowing this behaviour to go unpunished would demoralise central investigative agencies across the country.

The Supreme Court itself had earlier warned that failure to address the issue would create a "situation of lawlessness" across states.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the constitutional complexity is so significant it should be referred to a larger bench, given the competing questions of federalism, agency rights, and the limits of Article 32.

What Happens Next

The matter is scheduled to be heard next on April 14, 2026, when further arguments will continue. The ED is seeking a CBI probe against Mamata Banerjee and the return of all documents and devices allegedly removed from the I-PAC premises.

For now, the FIRs against ED officers remain stayed by the Supreme Court.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, this case asks a question India has long grappled with: when Centre and state clash, who protects the rule of law?

If a sitting Chief Minister can walk into an active federal investigation, remove evidence, and have her police file cases against the investigating officers — and face no consequence — the message to every state in India is deeply corrosive.

The Supreme Court appears to understand exactly what is at stake. Its sharp, pointed questions today suggest it is in no mood to let this case slip quietly into procedural delay.

The answer to whether ED officers retain their rights on duty may well redefine the boundaries of Indian federalism itself.