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"The Enigmatic Rise and Fall of Santiago Martin: Unveiling the Shadowy World of the Lottery King"

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Santiago Martin, widely known as the 'Lottery King,' has recently come into the spotlight following the release of the second list on electoral bonds by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Let's delve into who Santiago Martin is and why his name is making headlines:

1. Early Beginnings: Santiago Martin's journey began humbly as a labourer in Myanmar. Upon returning to India from Yangon in 1988, he ventured into the lottery business by establishing 'Martin Lottery' in Tamil Nadu.

2. Expansion:Over time, Martin expanded his lottery business beyond Tamil Nadu to states like Karnataka, Punjab, West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, and the northeastern states, showcasing remarkable growth.

3. Controversies: Despite his business success, Martin's ventures faced scrutiny and legal challenges. The 'Martin Lottery' was banned in Tamil Nadu in 2003, leading to increased scrutiny and investigations.

4. Legal Issues: Since 2011, Martin and his company have been under investigation for alleged unpaid income tax, money laundering, and fraudulent activities. These investigations have involved multiple Central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department.

5. Tragic Incident: In a tragic turn of events, an accountant of a college run by Martin in Coimbatore was found dead in 2019 after questioning by income tax authorities, raising further questions and investigations.

6. Political Connections: Santiago Martin has established connections with political figures across India. Notably, he donated ₹2 crore to CPI(M)'s Kerala unit in 2008, which was later returned due to internal party issues.

7. Recent Developments: In 2023, the ED froze assets worth approximately ₹457 crore linked to Martin over alleged fraudulent activities related to lottery sales in Kerala, causing a significant loss to the Sikkim government.

8. Family Ties: Martin's son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna, is reportedly associated with Tamil Nadu's DMK and has recently joined the Dalit party Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), indicating ongoing political ties within the family.

The significant financial transactions related to electoral bonds involving Santiago Martin's company have sparked discussions and raised questions about transparency and accountability in political funding processes.

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