Mahadev Betting App Case: Mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar Detained in Oman, India Pushes for Extradition

Sourabh Chandrakar, the alleged mastermind behind the ₹6,000-crore Mahadev online betting scam, has been detained in Oman, potentially bringing Indian investigators closer to securing the return of one of the country's most wanted economic offenders.

People familiar with the development said Chandrakar was taken into custody by the Royal Oman Police during the last week of June. Indian authorities are now preparing to formally seek his extradition, while also verifying details of his detention through official diplomatic channels.

According to officials, Chandrakar was arrested based on an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Indian agencies. Investigators suspect he had travelled from the UAE to Oman using a fake passport allegedly procured from a Southeast Asian country.

The development has raised hopes within Indian investigative agencies, as India and Oman share an extradition treaty. Chandrakar has been on the run since 2019.

Earlier efforts to bring him back from the UAE had failed. In October 2024, UAE authorities had detained Chandrakar on the basis of the same Interpol Red Notice and placed him under house arrest. India had submitted an extradition request soon after, but it did not materialise, and Chandrakar was subsequently released.

Chandrakar, believed to be in his early 30s, is accused of building the Mahadev betting empire along with his close associate Ravi Uppal. The duo allegedly fled India in 2019 and operated the betting network from Dubai, where investigators say they continued to run several online betting platforms targeting users in India.

Ravi Uppal has also remained out of reach. According to officials, he disappeared from the UAE after authorities there decided to close extradition proceedings against him.

Probe Continues Into Multi-Crore Betting Network

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Chhattisgarh Police are investigating Chandrakar, Uppal and several others, including public servants, over their alleged role in the betting syndicate.

Investigators say the Mahadev network continued to operate across the country despite repeated government crackdowns and the blocking of several betting apps and websites. The platforms allegedly accepted bets on cricket, football, tennis, badminton, poker, card games, games of chance and even election results.

In one of its chargesheets, the ED claimed the syndicate operated nearly 3,200 betting panels across India, generating around ₹240 crore every day. The agency also alleged that Chandrakar and Uppal rented about 20 villas in Dubai to accommodate nearly 3,500 employees managing the operation.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has also been named as an accused in the investigation.