Mahadev betting app case: Co-founder Ravi Uppal arrested in Dubai days after partner's extradition

Mahadev Online Book betting platform co-founder Ravi Uppal has reportedly been arrested in Dubai, days after fellow promoter Saurabh Chandrakar was extradited from Oman. Indian officials have received information about Uppal's detention through unofficial channels, but are awaiting confirmation from authorities in the United Arab Emirates, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Indian agencies are seeking details through official channels before pursuing Uppal's extradition, Hindustan Times reported, citing officials familiar with the matter.

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Ravi Uppal was previously detained in Dubai in 2023

Uppal, a resident of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, was previously detained in Dubai in December 2023 after Interpol issued a red notice against him that October. He was released within about 45 days. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent an extradition request to the UAE in January 2024, the newspaper reported.

Uppal later left the UAE and was believed to be staying in Vanuatu before returning to Dubai. Investigators allege that he handled the betting network's financial operations, including hawala transactions, while Chandrakar was closely involved in promotion and management of the platform.

Saurabh Chandrakar extradited from Oman, sent to CBI custody

Chandrakar, another alleged promoter of the betting operation, was brought to India from Oman on November 1 after being detained by the Royal Oman Police on the basis of an Interpol red notice. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED submitted extradition requests along with evidence collected in their investigations. A CBI team then travelled to Muscat to escort him back.

On Wednesday, a special CBI court in Raipur granted the agency eight days' custody of Chandrakar after investigators sought 10 days to question him. The court also permitted the CBI to take him to Delhi, his lawyer Tushar Giri told PTI. The defence raised an objection about whether the CBI proceedings were covered by the extradition approval from Oman.

How the alleged Mahadev betting network operated

The Mahadev Online Book case began with investigations by agencies in Chhattisgarh. The state government transferred 13 related first information reports to the CBI, which took over a case from the state's Economic Offences Wing in December 2024.

According to investigators, the platform allowed users to place bets on cricket, football, card games and other events through local operators spread across India. These operators worked through franchise-style outlets described as "panels" and "branches", which enrolled customers, collected bets and processed payments.

The CBI alleges that the proceeds were moved through numerous bank accounts operated in other people's names. Transfers through multiple accounts were allegedly used to conceal the movement of funds before money was sent abroad using hawala channels. The agency also claims that some funds were paid to public servants to allow the business to continue without interference.

CBI chargesheets and ED money-laundering investigation

In July 2026, the CBI said it had filed six chargesheets in a corruption case and five in another case covering 66 accused. Chandrakar and Uppal were among those named in the agency's filings. The allegations include cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, along with offences under anti-corruption and gambling laws.

The ED is separately investigating suspected money laundering linked to the network. It has filed a prosecution complaint against Chandrakar and attached properties allegedly connected to the operation in India and abroad. The criminal proceedings against the accused are continuing.

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