Mahadev Betting App Mastermind Sourabh Chandrakar Nabbed From UAE, Likely To Be Extradited To India

Indian authorities are in the process of extraditing Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the key promoters of the Mahadev Online Book App and the main accused in a Rs 6,000 crore betting scam, following his recent arrest in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) based on an Interpol red notice, according to sources familiar with the matter on Friday.

The sources added that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Chhattisgarh Police, who are investigating the alleged scam, are working through the external affairs ministry to complete the extradition paperwork and bring Chandrakar back to India as quickly as possible.

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A court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, issued an extradition order on Thursday, which is being forwarded to the UAE authorities, an unnamed official confirmed.

The sources also revealed that Chandrakar and his business associate, Ravi Uppal, had been placed under "house detention" in Dubai since December last year.

The ED, in its investigation, has stated that the operations of the Mahadev Online Book App were managed from Dubai, operating by franchising "panels or branches" on a 70%-30% profit-sharing basis.

In August, Hindustan Times reported that the CBI had also been involved in probing the alleged scam.

The CBI took over all of Chhattisgarh Police's first information reports (FIRs), including one that names former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.

The ED, in November, alleged that Chandrakar and Uppal paid bribes amounting to Rs 508 crore to Baghel.

"The promoters of the Mahadev Book App paid large sums of protection money to various police officers, administrative officers, and influential political figures to prevent any action against their illegal activities. This money was channelled to these officials through hawala operators and was subsequently used to bribe senior police officers and political figures. In this way, many police and administrative officers abused their official positions for personal gain, receiving protection money and accumulating illegal assets," stated the FIR, which named Baghel.

Baghel has denied these accusations, asserting that his reputation is being tarnished as part of a political vendetta.

The ED has submitted two charge sheets in the case, one of which names Chandrakar and Uppal. It is alleged that Chandrakar's wedding in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in February 2023 involved the expenditure of around Rs 200 crore in cash.

Private jets were hired to transport his relatives from India to the UAE, and celebrities were reportedly paid to perform at the wedding.

The ED has stated that the projected proceeds of crime in this case amount to approximately Rs 6,000 crore, and it has thus far frozen assets worth Rs 572.41 crore.