Google officials depose before ED in online betting linked PMLA case
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Representatives of Google on Monday deposed before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of a money laundering probe linked to the promotion of "illegal" online betting and gambling platforms, official sources said.Executives from Meta did not depose, they said.The ED had called the officials of the two tech giants, first on July 21 and later extended their deposition to July 28 as they sought more time to appear.The agency may also record the statement of a designated "compliance officer" of Google under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) apart from obtaining some documents from the company on Monday, the sources said.A Google spokesperson had last week told PTI in a statement that the company was "committed to keeping our platforms safe and secure, prohibiting the promotion of illegal gambling ads.""We are extending our full support and cooperation to investigating agencies to hold bad actors responsible and keep users safe," the spokesperson had said.There was no response from Meta, formerly known as Facebook.The federal agency is probing several platforms hosting illegal betting and gambling links, including alleged instances of advertisements placed for them on various social media outlets and app stores.The tech giants are understood to have been called by the ED to know how such illegal platforms place ads on their portals.Some actors, celebrities and sports persons are also under the scanner of the agency in these cases, and are expected to depose.The ED has claimed that illegal online betting and gambling platforms cheated people of their hard-earned money, and also laundered and evaded taxes to the tune of several crores of rupees.Google also said its "continuous AI advancements, complemented by human expertise, ensure all ads on our surfaces comply with local laws and our strict ad policies, and protect users from evolving threats.""Last year alone, we removed 247.4 million ads and suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India," the firm had said.The ED is investigating more than a dozen cases linked to illegal gambling and betting platforms across the country, including the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app, whose main promoters hail from Chhattisgarh.
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Indian Express
7 minutes ago
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HC denies bail to ED, CBI officers in Himachal scholarship scam bribery case
In a scathing order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday denied regular bail to senior Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer Vishal Deep and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Deputy SP Balbir Singh, both accused of demanding and facilitating bribes from accused in the Himachal Pradesh scholarship scam. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul dismissed three connected bail petitions, holding that the allegations represented a grave abuse of official power and warranted continued custody to preserve the integrity of the trial process. The court noted that although the prosecution's case involved circumstantial and digital evidence, it nevertheless revealed 'a premeditated and well-orchestrated conspiracy' that exploited the institutional positions of the two senior officers. 'The allegations against petitioner Vishal Deep of demanding illegal gratification in exchange for manipulating outcome of the investigation and influencing arrests strike at the heart of the institutional integrity,' the court observed. It added that the use of encrypted apps like Zangi, assumed identities such as 'Rahim', and involvement of family-owned vehicles painted a picture of 'deliberate and strategically engineered' misconduct. The FIRs in the case, both dated December 22, 2024, stemmed from complaints by Bhupinder Kumar Sharma, chairman of Dev Bhumi Group of Institutions, Una, and Rajneesh Bansal, chairman of Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions, Sirmaur. They alleged that bribes of Rs 55 lakh and Rs 60 lakh respectively were demanded to avoid arrest in the ongoing ED and CBI investigations into the scholarship scam. Vishal Deep, posted in Shimla at the time as the ED investigating officer, was accused of demanding bribes while posing under false names. A joint trap was laid following the complaints. The CBI claimed that two vehicles, one registered in Vishal Deep's name and another in his brother Vikas Deep's name, were found with traces of phenolphthalein, a chemical used in trap operations. Additionally, Rs 1.25 crore was recovered from Vikas Deep, further tightening the prosecution's case, the court noted. The petitioners had argued that no direct recovery was made from them, and that the case relied solely on circumstantial and documentary evidence. Senior advocate Vinod Ghai, appearing for Vishal Deep, argued that his client had been falsely implicated and had already been granted bail in the second FIR. He submitted that 'further incarceration would serve no useful purpose' since the chargesheet had been filed on March 15 and no charges had yet been framed. Counsel for Balbir Singh contended that his client was not named in the initial FIR and was being implicated based on an allegedly inconclusive audio recording. Singh also cited his serious medical condition, including a renal transplant and chronic kidney disease, and stressed that he had cooperated with the investigation while out on interim medical bail. However, the court was unconvinced, stating that Balbir Singh's role 'went beyond passive facilitation'. His alleged coordination of meetings, selective leave from duty on critical dates, and presence corroborated by CDRs and CCTV footage 'indicate active participation in the execution of the conspiracy,' the judge held. On the medical plea, the court took on record a report from PGIMER Chandigarh dated July 2, which stated that Balbir Singh's cardiac and renal status was 'currently stable and within normal limits'. It directed the jail authorities to ensure follow-ups and treatment as advised but did not find medical grounds sufficient for bail. While acknowledging that 'bail is the rule and jail is the exception', the court underscored that this principle must be balanced against the need to protect public trust and prevent potential tampering of evidence, particularly since the complainants had yet to testify. 'Such exceptions must be tempered by the imperative to preserve the integrity of the process,' the court said, refusing to extend bail to either petitioner.
