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Electoral bonds: ‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin's firm donated Rs 1368 crore

  •   Fri, Mar 15 2024 08:13:01 AM

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 15: The Election Commission released a list of entities that purchased electoral bonds for political donations, following the Supreme Court's directive to the State Bank of India to furnish details. Topping the list was Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited, headed by Santiago Martin, known as the ‘Lottery King’, which made the highest donations.

Santiago Martin began his career as a labourer in Myanmar's Yangon before venturing into the lottery business in Tamil Nadu in 1988. Expanding operations to Karnataka, Kerala, and later the northeast, he diversified into construction, real estate, textiles, and hospitality. Martin is also the President of the All India Federation of Lottery Trade and Allied Industries, aiming to uplift and bring credibility to the lottery trade in India. His enterprise, Future Gaming Solutions India Pvt Ltd., has gained membership in the World Lottery Association and is branching into online gaming, casinos, and sports betting.

Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited donated Rs 1368 crore between 2019 and 2024. However, the Enforcement Directorate has been investigating the company since 2019 for alleged violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Raids were conducted in Coimbatore and Chennai in May 2023 based on a Central Bureau of Investigation charge sheet. The charges allege the company's involvement in selling Sikkim government lotteries in Kerala, causing an Rs 910 crore loss to Sikkim due to inflated prize-winning ticket claims from April 2009 to August 2010.

Another significant donor was Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, which contributed Rs 966 crore. The Hyderabad-based company is currently engaged in various infrastructure projects.

The list of electoral bond buyers included prominent names such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, Grasim Industries, Piramal Enterprises, Torrent Power, Bharti Airtel, DLF Commercial Developers, Vedanta Ltd., Apollo Tyres, Edelweiss, PVR, Keventer, Sula Wines, Welspun, Sun Pharma, Vardhman Textiles, Jindal Group, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, CEAT tyres, Dr Reddy's Laboratories, ITC, Kaypee Enterprises, Cipla, and Ultratech Cement, as per the data uploaded by the poll panel.

 

 

 
  

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  • Thomas Andrade, Toronto

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    The "donors" list is in alphabetical order. I was curious to know how much Adani & Ambani donated but surprisingly did not find these 2 big names despite using search command. How is it possible the 2 tycoons did not bribe (sorry, did not donate) to the government? This means these closest friends of the supremo got whatever they wanted without paying bribe. Modi hai tho mumkin hai. The easiest way to make those companies cough up in crores and crores is sending to them the EC, IT, CBI first. Modi's "Na khaunga na khane dunga" is all bakwaas.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Thomas Andrade, Toronto

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    The "donors" list is in alphabatical order. I was curious to know how much Adani & Ambani donated but surprisingly did not find these 2 big names despite using search command. How is it possible the 2 tycoons did not bribe (sorry, did not donate) to the government? Though both these 2 men spend their lives lavishly, when it comes to donate to a good cause, you would not find their names on top of the list. This means these closest friends of the supremo got whatever they wanted without paying bribe. Modi hai tho mumkin hai. The easiest way to make those companies cough up in crores and crores is sending to them EC, IT, CBI first. Modi's "Na khaunga na khane dunga" is all bakwaas.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indian, Dubai

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    All doners will escape from any type of enquiry

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajendra, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Santiago Martin -- the name itself should have been a suspect -- flagged off -- only mafia -- drug dealers have such names -- especially in INDIA --

    DisAgree [8] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishal, Puttur

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Santiago must be a Tamilian. Names have nothing to do with crime. In Latin America there is more crime. Therefore a prejudice is formed.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alan, Mangalore/U.S.A

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Rajendra, How does the name Modi sound to you. NIrav Modi, Lalith Modi and Choksi

    DisAgree [2] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harish Hegde, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Guys do you'll remember when our family purchased lentil for 300 Rs that is 3 years back? Edelweiss was involved in it later came to know that Adani was the main culprit.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harish Hegde, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    So surprising that we cannot see Adani and Ambani's name, is it possible that these 2 guys did not give any alms to BJP I cannot digest it... Without giving any donation will Modi will just give away Ports, Airports, Lands in acre and acres, mines, letting to destroy forest in Chhattishgarh and what not. Beside that no ED's no IT in their place hard to believe.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • M.Mathias, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Bribe to BJP to avoid CBI, IT and ED raids. Corruption of millennium by BJP and RSS.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • Indian, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    But still people vote for Modi. They don't care. They want Hindu Rashtra at any cost. If they loot or if they sell whole country to these capitalists. These BJP voters won't mind anything. They got Ram Mandir and they want India to be Hindu Rashtra. That's it. If they die of hunger also no problem. Specially our Coastal Karnataka voters.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [33] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonso Dsouza, Mumbai

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    AS PROMISED BY THE PM, WILL THE GOVERNMENT SEND THEIR ED, CBI AND IB FORCES TO TAME THESE DONORS .. AND CLEAR THEIR NAME? WHY ATTACK THE OPPOSITION ALONE; NOW THE RULING PARTY MUST FACE THE TUNE AS WELL.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Kusuma Kumari Gunji MBBS DGO DNB, Nellore Kodyadka

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Firms would donate huge money only if they are provided favors in return It looks like Santiago martin has received good favors form government Otherwise he cant be donating such huge money Santiago Martin has cheated Sikkim government in lottery by inflating prize money

    DisAgree [3] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Harish Hegde, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Did you know or any of us of this Lottery King before this list came out? The main names are not there they are kept hidden or they must have paid in cash else why they will be given everything which belongs to government.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • k b r, Mangala Uru

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    foreigners are purchasing our ಮಾತೃ ಭೂಮಿ ... 💧

    DisAgree [3] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jay, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Where are the ED and Income tax teams now?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Karan, katapadi/Dubai

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Still Bhakts say - Modi is not corrupt

    DisAgree [9] Agree [60] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ranjith, Bangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Electoral bonds are Corruption personified. ----- Whoever fell for the slogan 'Na Khaunga Na Khane Dunga' has been fooled -- but this govt is confident still -- anywhere else in the world the govt would have been toppled -- for the simple reason -- Hindutva and crony capitalism at play -- and corruption is an accepted way of life. --

    DisAgree [14] Agree [68] Reply Report Abuse

  • Mbeary, Dxb

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    For 37% of Indians, it is not love for the country. Even if bjp is caught red handed in accepting bribe, still they wil vote for Modi becoz hate and communalism is a poison that have turned even educated people into zombies. All they want to see is supremacy and rashtra dreams

    DisAgree [22] Agree [66] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anees, Kudla

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Thank god, no Adani, Ambani in top ten

    DisAgree [6] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, valencia/m'lore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    That is the beauty.., they are the indirect beneficiaries....., who win govt assets in a open bid.... where in the participants were probably managed by intimidation & opression...,

    DisAgree [5] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • Monty Dotor, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Thank God from minority...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [34] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vally, Mlore/ Dubai

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Let SC declare who donated (bribe) to which party and how much they given.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Andrew L D Cunha, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    The information coming out on Electoral Bond is very disturbing raising serious doubts on our system. If SC has declared it unconstitutional, what is the action by the SC on unconstitutional governance? Moreover, for corporates government has reduced tax rates from maximum 25% from 30% in Union Budget 2019-20 whereas individuals taxation is maximum slab 30%+ high cess. Is this benefit given by government to corporates to donate money to electoral bonds? All political parties are responsible for such mess and creating serious mistrust in system. It is surprising to know that most of the finance bills are passed even without discussion in parliament.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Don, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Wealthy businessmen and Industrialist are approached and asked for "Chandha" (Donations). If they don't pay their offices are raided by the CBI. In the raids the CBI always finds incriminating evidence, and then the choices are to go to jail or pay the amount demanded towards Electoral Bonds. That why last year a record number of Industrialist have left India to settle mainly in the US, some in Canada, Australia, UK and Germany. If this trend continues, loosing industrialist will have a big adverse effect on the creation of jobs in the Indian market. Just google or watch You tube videos, it is called "Chandha Kha Dhandha"

    DisAgree [5] Agree [40] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajan, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    All rogues and rascals to borrow from Winston Churchill -- have donated. -- hence the secrecy -- what was the quid pro quo -- nobody interested ----- Governments should have rolled on this scandal anywhere in the world -- but we boast as being the world's largest democracy -- but we are totally flawed in reality -- crony capitalism -- -- like the Russian oligarchs ---- media all controlled by the corporates -- so no anger among public -- also, all with the opium of Hindutva -- politics -- sleep walking --- --NOW half the population suffers from literacy issues -- another sizeable percentage are blind bhaktas-- ---

    DisAgree [6] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    THE NAME ITSELF SAYS BJP= BRHASTA JUMLA PAAPIES. NO HUMAN ON EARTH CAN CATEGORICALLY SAY CAN SAY NARENDRA MODI'S LYNCHING/COW/PETTHA/GOBERNMENT IS CORRUPT. WHERE THERE IS SWEET THE ANTS GATHERED.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rolf, Dubai

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    NARAHARI RAO, KAIKAMBA Wed, Mar 13 2024 Where is that person always supporting Chowikadar & RSS idelogy for every incident. I think they are hiding in the rate hole.

    DisAgree [12] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dylan, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Electoral bonds a legal way of bribing the Government, political parties.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [85] Reply Report Abuse

  • ASHWIN, Mangalore

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Legal, Yes. Better than the sacks of currency being shipped before 2019, no one can talk about the sacks because we all know when to keep quiet. Let them keep publishing the donor names and the beneficiary names on regular basis. It will keep a check on the amount 1 gives, but people will split and will still manage. Legal White is much much better than the black sack method.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jd, Mlr

    Fri, Mar 15 2024

    Bhakths must be happy

    DisAgree [9] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Electoral bonds: ‘Lottery King’ Santiago Martin's firm donated Rs 1368 crore



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