CBI Raids IPS Officer Abhishek Pallav’s Residence in Connection with Mahadev Betting App Scam
Raipur, India | April 4, 2025 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on March 26 raided the residence of IPS officer Abhishek Pallav in Durg, Chhattisgarh, as part of its ongoing probe into the high-profile Mahadev betting app scam. The raid, which was one among 60 conducted across four states, marks a dramatic turn in the career of the 2013-batch officer who rose to national fame through social media.
Pallav, known for his unconventional style and viral Instagram reels, has amassed a massive following online by blending law enforcement with engaging content. However, his digital stardom took a serious hit with the CBI’s operation, which aims to uncover the alleged nexus between public officials and the illegal online gambling racket, said to be worth several crores.
From Viral Reels to CBI Radar
A doctor by training, Pallav earned a degree in psychiatry from AIIMS Delhi before joining the Indian Police Service. His tenure in Chhattisgarh’s conflict-ridden regions brought him praise for both his bravery and humane policing. But it was during his posting in Durg that he gained widespread popularity, often featuring in short videos that portrayed him interrogating offenders, cracking jokes, and promoting civic awareness.
His digital persona — dubbed “Reel Singham” by fans — painted a charismatic picture of modern policing. His videos, often witty and relatable, turned him into a household name, particularly among younger audiences.
However, the ongoing CBI investigation has cast a shadow over his public image. According to sources, investigators are probing whether Pallav had any direct or indirect links to the Mahadev app’s operators, or whether he may have ignored their activities during his time as Superintendent of Police in Durg.
The Mahadev App Scam
The Mahadev betting app, a sprawling online gambling network, has been under scrutiny for months. The platform is accused of laundering vast sums of money through illegal betting operations across India and abroad. The case has already implicated several prominent figures, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
While no official statement has yet been made about Pallav’s exact role, the search of his residence signals that the investigation may be closing in on senior officials who were once at the forefront of combating crime.
A Symbol Turned Cautionary Tale
Abhishek Pallav’s story has gone from inspirational to controversial. Once celebrated for bringing a human touch to policing through social media, he now finds himself at the center of a criminal investigation. His viral content, once hailed for modernizing the police image, is now being re-evaluated under the harsh glare of public and legal scrutiny.
As the investigation unfolds, questions remain about whether Pallav was complicit, negligent, or wrongly implicated. The CBI’s findings in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his fate — whether he returns as a rehabilitated public figure or becomes another casualty of the sprawling betting scandal.
For now, his social media pages have gone silent — and a once-celebrated face of policing awaits his next chapter, no longer in reels, but in reality.
