The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with other Central agencies, has secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the main promoters of the alleged illegal Mahadev Online Book betting syndicate, from Oman to India.
Chandrakar was detained by the Royal Oman Police following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him. He is wanted in two CBI cases, in which chargesheets have already been filed, and one Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, where a prosecution complaint has been submitted.
Following approval of India’s extradition request by Oman, a CBI team travelled to Muscat and escorted Chandrakar back to the country. He will undergo a medical examination before being taken to Raipur after the agency secures transit remand.
The CBI said Chandrakar would be produced before the Special CBI Judge in Raipur tomorrow.
Mahadev betting syndicate: How the network allegedly operated
The CBI investigation has identified Mahadev Online Book as one of India’s largest alleged illegal online betting syndicates.
According to investigators, the platform operated through a franchise-based network of panels and branches spread across the country. The syndicate allegedly offered betting on cricket, football, card games and other events.
The network is accused of routing its proceeds through mule bank accounts, multiple transactions and hawala channels to conceal the movement of funds.
Investigators also found that a portion of the alleged proceeds was used to pay protection money to public servants.
The syndicate’s principal promoters, Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, allegedly controlled operations from Dubai, while panel operators managed betting activities across India.
ED attaches Rs 1,700 crore in properties, including Burj Khalifa flats
The extradition comes against the backdrop of an extensive financial investigation by the ED into the Mahadev Online Book betting case.
On March 25, 2026, the ED’s Raipur Zonal Office announced the provisional attachment of properties worth nearly Rs 1,700 crore, dealing a major blow to the alleged illegal betting network.
The attachment order was issued on March 24, 2026, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The properties include 18 luxury immovable assets in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and two prime properties in New Delhi.
The Dubai assets comprise high-value villas and flats in Dubai Hills Estate, including Hills View, Fairway Residency and Sidra. The list also includes several high-end apartments in Business Bay, SLS Hotel & Residences and the iconic Burj Khalifa.
The properties belong to Chandrakar and are held in the names of entities allegedly controlled by him and his associates, including Vikas Chhaparia, Rohit Gulati, Atul Arora, Nitin Tibrewal and Surendra Bagri.
The ED’s investigation has established that the assets were purchased using alleged proceeds of crime generated through large-scale illegal online betting operations conducted via Mahadev Online Book and other platforms, including Tiger Exchange, Gold365 and Laser247.
Dubai-based promoters allegedly retained 70-75% of profits
According to the ED, the Mahadev betting syndicate operated as an international network using a franchise-based model of panels or branches across India.
The agency has alleged that Chandrakar and Uppal retained 70-75 per cent of the profits, with the remaining share distributed among panel operators.
The illicit funds were allegedly layered through thousands of mule bank accounts before being transferred overseas through hawala channels and cryptocurrency.
Investigators said the money was subsequently invested in luxury real estate in the UAE and India.
The ED’s probe has also examined the alleged financial links between the Mahadev Online Book platform and other betting applications.
ED probe: 13 arrests, 74 accused named in five complaints
The ED has conducted searches at more than 175 premises across the country as part of its investigation into the alleged betting syndicate.
So far, the agency has arrested 13 people and filed five prosecution complaints, naming 74 accused before the Special PMLA Court in Raipur.
Applications have also been filed under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act against Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal, Anil Agrawal and Shubham Soni.
With the latest provisional attachment, the total value of properties attached or seized in the Mahadev betting case has reached approximately Rs 4,336 crore.
The ED has reiterated its commitment to dismantling the alleged illegal betting ecosystem and its international financial network.
Further investigation remains in progress.
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 "Mahadev betting app promoter Sourabh Chandrakar extradited from Oman; CBI to produce him in Raipur court")
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