Dubai authorities arrested 46-year-old Ravi Uppal, a co-promoter of the Mahadev online betting app, on a Interpol Red Notice requested by Indian agencies.
Key takeaways
- Arrest in UAE: Uppal was taken into custody in Dubai following the Red Notice.
- Extradition effort: India’s Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate are seeking his transfer to India.
- Recent related extradition: Mahadev co-promoter Saurabh Chandrakar was extradited from Oman to India last week.
- Money‑laundering probe: The Enforcement Directorate has charged Uppal in a case involving alleged illegal betting and money‑laundering.
- Wider crackdown: Authorities have attached properties worth billions of rupees and arrested multiple suspects linked to the platform.
Arrest details
Uppal was detained in Dubai after officials acted on an Interpol Red Notice. The notice was issued at the request of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which are coordinating the extradition request.
Background of the Mahadev case
The Mahadev app is alleged to have operated from outside India, using franchised panels to enroll users for illegal betting on cricket, football and other sports. Investigators say betting proceeds were moved through mule bank accounts and hawala channels, and some funds were allegedly paid to public officials to facilitate the operation.
Financial scope and assets
The ED estimates the crime’s proceeds at roughly ₹6,000 crore. In March, it provisionally attached 20 properties in Dubai and New Delhi valued at about ₹1,700 crore, including villas and apartments linked to Chandrakar’s network. Overall, the agency has searched more than 175 locations, arrested 13 individuals and frozen assets worth around ₹4,336 crore.
Political connections under scrutiny
The investigation has also examined alleged links to senior politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh, as well as ties to EaseMyTrip co‑founder Nishant Pitti and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, both of whom deny any wrongdoing.