Mahadev Betting Case: CBI Secures 8-Day Custody of Kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar
The investigation into the multi-crore Mahadev online betting syndicate reached a significant milestone on Wednesday as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) successfully secured an eight-day custody of Saurabh Chandrakar. Chandrakar, a primary figure in the alleged ₹6,000-crore betting network, was extradited from Oman earlier this week, marking a major breakthrough for Indian law enforcement agencies.
Following his arrival in India on Sunday, Chandrakar was presented before a special CBI court in Raipur. Seeking to unravel the complex financial web and operational structure of the illegal enterprise, the federal agency had requested ten days of remand. After hearing the arguments, Special Judge Manoj Kumar Singh Thakur granted the CBI eight days of custody. The court further authorized the agency to transport the accused to Delhi to facilitate intensive interrogation regarding the syndicate’s international reach.
From Oman to Raipur: A High-Stakes Extradition
Chandrakar’s transition into Indian custody was the culmination of coordinated efforts between international authorities and Indian investigative wings. After being flown from Oman, he was held in Raipur under tight security. Defence counsel Tushar Giri confirmed that the accused was moved to the city on a private flight under the strict supervision of a specialized CBI team. Before his appearance in the trial court, Chandrakar had spent Monday under a two-day transit remand, ensuring the legal formalities for his transfer were completed.
Unpacking the Mahadev App Scam
The CBI officially entered the investigation on December 18, 2024, absorbing the case from the Chhattisgarh State Economic Offences Wing (EOW) at the behest of both state and central government directives. Investigators allege that Chandrakar, alongside his co-accused Ravi Uppal, orchestrated an expansive betting empire that utilized a vast network of “panel” and branch operators.
The modus operandi, as detailed by federal agencies, involved the creation of hundreds of bank accounts—often opened through commission-based schemes—to process illegal transactions. These funds were subsequently funneled out of India to the syndicate’s central headquarters in Dubai. The operation is alleged to have exploited numerous young individuals from Chhattisgarh, recruiting them as managers to handle the daily technical and financial tasks of the betting platform.
The Web of Accountability
The legal pressure on the syndicate has been mounting for over a year. While the duo initially operated with relative freedom from Dubai, increased scrutiny led to Chandrakar’s temporary detention by UAE authorities in 2024. Following that incident, he reportedly attempted to evade further legal consequences by relocating to Oman, a move that proved insufficient against the collaborative efforts of Indian intelligence and law enforcement.
With Chandrakar now in custody, the CBI aims to dismantle the remaining layers of the syndicate. Beyond the immediate charges, the investigation is set to focus on the intricate financial links that connected the betting platform to broader criminal networks. As the interrogation begins in the coming days, authorities hope to gain critical evidence regarding the money trail, potential accomplices, and the full extent of the financial damage caused by the Mahadev app operations. Meanwhile, efforts to secure the extradition of other key players, including co-founder Ravi Uppal, remain a top priority for the ongoing multi-agency probe.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
