CBI extradites Mahadev app promoter Sourabh Chandrakar from Oman
Indian agencies are now seeking the extradition of co-founder Ravi Uppal from Dubai following Chandrakar's return.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, a promoter of the Mahadev App illegal betting syndicate, from Oman. A CBI team escorted Chandrakar back to India after he was detained by the Royal Oman Police in Muscat based on an Interpol red notice, according to reports by Hindustan Times and The Tribune.
Chandrakar is wanted in two CBI cases and an Enforcement Directorate (ED) money-laundering case involving a ₹6,000 crore racket. He is scheduled to be produced before a special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday.
According to Hindustan Times, Indian probe agencies are now aggressively pursuing the extradition of Mahadev app co-founder Ravi Uppal from Dubai. Officials believe Uppal, a resident of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, has returned to Dubai after previously fleeing the UAE.
An ED officer stated that if both Chandrakar and Uppal are in custody, the agency can unravel the entire conspiracy and identify all beneficiaries. One officer alleged that while Chandrakar ran promotions and operations, Uppal handled hawala deliveries of hundreds of crores and liaised with politicians in Chhattisgarh.
The ED has filed six chargesheets claiming bribes were paid to bureaucrats and politicians, including former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, to allow the syndicate to operate. Baghel has denied the allegations and his role in the case.
The investigation alleges the syndicate offered illegal betting on cricket, football, and card games through a network of franchises across India. Proceeds were allegedly routed through mule bank accounts and transferred abroad via hawala channels.