A specially deputed team from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) escorted Sourabh Chandrakar from Oman to India yesterday, marking a significant development in the investigation of the Mahadev Online Book betting scandal. Following a medical examination and transit procedures, authorities expect to present Chandrakar before a CBI Special Court in Raipur today.
Extradition and Legal Proceedings
The Royal Oman Police detained Chandrakar based on an Interpol Red Corner Notice. Both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) submitted formal extradition requests backed by evidence. Chandrakar, a key promoter of the Mahadev platform, faces multiple charges, including those in two CBI cases and a separate money laundering investigation initiated by the ED. Prosecutors have already filed chargesheets and complaints in these matters.
Investigators allege the Mahadev platform operated from outside India, utilizing a franchise network to facilitate illegal betting on cricket, football, and card games. The CBI claims the syndicate routed proceeds through mule bank accounts and hawala channels. Furthermore, the agency alleges that portions of these funds were paid to public servants as protection money to ensure the network operated without interference.
Financial Scale of the Alleged Fraud
The Enforcement Directorate estimates the proceeds of the alleged crime to be approximately ₹6,000 crore. In March, the agency provisionally attached 20 properties valued at nearly ₹1,700 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. These assets, located in Dubai and New Delhi, allegedly belong to entities controlled by Chandrakar and associates, including Vikas Chhaparia and Ravi Uppal.
The investigation into the network, which utilized platforms such as Tiger Exchange and Gold365, continues as authorities examine alleged connections between the operators and senior officials in Chhattisgarh. Future proceedings will determine the extent of the alleged criminal network’s reach and the involvement of various stakeholders.