Mahadev app kingpin arrested in Dubai, sources say extradition to India soon

The Mahadev app allegedly operated through a network of panel operators across India, facilitating money laundering from illegal betting activities. Chandrakar is also suspected of having links to the D Company.

In Short

• Arrest followed ED's red corner notice for Rs 5,000-crore scam
• Extradition process to India has started, expected within a week
• Chandrakar suspected of links with D Company, cases in multiple states

In a major breakthrough, the mastermind behind the Mahadev online betting app scam, Saurabh Chandrakar, was arrested in Dubai on Friday. Chandrakar, the alleged kingpin of the Mahadev betting app scam, was arrested following a Red Notice (RN) issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The scam, which involves illegal betting and gambling websites, is estimated to have cheated the people of over Rs 5,000 crore.

He is expected to be brought to India soon. According to sources from the ED, the extradition process has already commenced, and it is expected that Chandrakar could be returned to India within a week. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been notified of the arrest.

Chandrakar along with another promoter of the app, Ravi Uppal was detained and put under "house arrest" in that country late last year following the ED's request for issuance of a Red Notice (RN) against them.

The Mahadev app operated through a network of panel operators across India, allegedly laundering money from illegal betting activities. Chandrakar is also suspected to have links with the D Company.

Cases against the Mahadev app have been registered in several states, with ongoing investigations into the app’s operations.

The ED has arrested a total of 11 people in this case till now. Two charge sheets have also been filed by the agency till now, including against the two promoters. The Chhattisgarh Police are also investigating the case.

The ED investigation has shown that the Mahadev Online Book App is run from a central head office in the UAE. It operates by franchising "Panel/Branches" to their known associates on a 70-30 per cent profit ratio.

Large-scale hawala operations are done to siphon off the proceeds of betting to off-shore accounts.

Large expenditure in cash is also being done in India for advertising betting websites to attract new users and franchise (panel) seekers, the ED had said.

The company promoters belong from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and the Mahadev online book betting application is an umbrella syndicate arranging online platforms for enabling illegal betting websites, it is alleged.

With inputs form PTI