India seeks extradition of Mahadev betting app kingpin detained in Oman

The detention of Mahadev Betting App founder Saurabh Chandrakar by the Royal Oman Police marks a significant breakthrough in one of India’s biggest financial crime investigations. It is almost unbelievable that a humble fruit juice seller from Bhilai could, within a few years, build an illegal betting empire allegedly worth Rs 6,000 crore and acquire luxury properties, including apartments in Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa. Chandrakar, still in his thirties, appeared to possess the Midas touch. But luck, which had favoured him for long, seems finally to have deserted him. His arrest in Dubai in 2024 did not result in his return to India. Whether financial influence or legal loopholes helped him then remains a matter of speculation. This time, however, the circumstances are different. His detention followed an Interpol alert issued at the request of Indian investigating agencies. With India and Oman enjoying a strong extradition framework and close diplomatic ties, New Delhi should be able to secure his return without undue delay.Mahadev App is among the largest illegal betting syndicates ever unearthed in India, allegedly operated from abroad by Chandrakar and his associate Ravi Uppal, who is believed to have fled to Vanuatu. Through social media and an extensive digital network, the syndicate, reportedly, reached millions of users, operated illegal betting panels across India and generated enormous illicit profits. Investigators have also alleged that part of these proceeds was paid as bribes to public servants. The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 4,300 crore, including foreign properties valued at Rs 1,700 crore in Dubai. Simultaneously, the CBI has filed supplementary charge sheets naming an additional accused, who allegedly helped operate the betting panels and launder the proceeds. These developments indicate that the investigation is steadily moving beyond the visible operators.Yet, several questions remain unanswered. It strains credulity that a man with minimal educational qualifications could single-handedly manage such an elaborate international financial network. History shows that those who actually finance and control organised crime rarely appear in public. They prefer to remain invisible while frontmen and benamis conduct operations. It is entirely possible that Chandrakar and Uppal were only the public faces of a much larger enterprise. The Mahadev controversy had cast its shadow over Chhattisgarh politics during the Assembly elections, with allegations flying in every direction. The truth can emerge only through an impartial investigation based on evidence rather than political rhetoric. Recovering the money is as important as prosecuting the accused. Every rupee syphoned abroad represents wealth generated through illegal activity or tax evasion. Chandrakar’s extradition may well be the key that unlocks a much larger criminal ecosystem. It could also prove to be not the whole iceberg, but merely its visible tip.

With Indian investigating agencies trying to extradite Saurabh Chandrakar – the kingpin in the alleged Mahadev Online Book betting app scam – from Oman, the high -profile case is back in focus

The same extradition exercise was carried out unsuccessfully two years ago, when Saurabh Chandrakar was traced to Dubai; CBI files additional charge sheets against more than 70 people

Mumbai, July 9, 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against six accused in the Mahadev App-related corruption case and five separate charge sheets against 66 accused in the linked alleged illegal betting syndicate case, the central agency said on Thursday.In the corruption case, the agency has charge-sheeted Ashim Das, Rohit Gulati, Vikas Chhaparia, Anil Dhammani, Vishal Ahuja and Dheeraj Ahuja under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and IPC provisions related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. The agency alleges that the accused were part of a conspiracy involving the payment and routing of alleged bribes to public servants in exchange for protection to the Mahadev App betting syndicate. Ashim Das is alleged to have acted as a cash courier, while the others are accused of facilitating or handling transactions linked to the alleged payments.Charges Against Betting SyndicateThe agency has also filed additional evidence against alleged Mahadev App promoters Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who were charge-sheeted earlier and are considered the principal accused in the case. Both are the subject of Interpol Red Notices issued at the request of Indian authorities. Chandrakar was arrested recently in Oman after allegedly entering the country using a forged Indonesian passport, while the current whereabouts of Uppal are not known. Indian agencies continue to pursue legal measures to secure the return of both accused to face trial in India.In the separate betting syndicate case, the CBI filed five charge sheets against 66 accused, including Chandrakar, Uppal and members of various alleged betting panels through which the proceeds of crime were generated and routed. The accused have been charged under provisions of the IPC and the Chhattisgarh Gambling Prohibition Act.The CBI alleges that the Mahadev App emerged as one of the country's largest illegal online betting syndicates, run from outside Indian soil. Investigation has established that the syndicate operated illegal betting panels across the country, enrolling users and running games and betting markets, generating illegal profits which were then laundered through a web of mule accounts before being transferred abroad. A portion of the proceeds of crime was allegedly used to pay protection money to public servants to shield the illegal operations from law enforcement action.Extradition Process UnderwaySenior officials familiar with the probe said the latest charge sheets form a crucial part of the legal record required for India's extradition request against Chandrakar, who is currently in Oman. They, however, cautioned that securing his return is unlikely to be straightforward.According to the officials, Chandrakar allegedly entered Oman using a forged Indonesian passport and was arrested there recently. They said offences involving forged passports are treated seriously under Omani law as they relate to national security and border control, carrying imprisonment of three to five years and financial penalties depending on the nature of the offence.Officials said Oman generally prosecutes offences committed within its jurisdiction before acting on extradition requests from foreign countries. If Chandrakar is convicted there, extradition or deportation proceedings are likely to be considered only after the completion of the trial and any sentence imposed by Omani courts.Legal Options Being ExploredThey added that the CBI, in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, is exploring legal options under the India-Oman Extradition Treaty, 2005, which provides the legal framework for extradition and cooperation in criminal matters between the two countries. Among the options under consideration is seeking Chandrakar's temporary surrender to face trial in India, subject to the provisions of the treaty and the approval of the competent Omani authorities.Also Watch: FPJ Exclusive: Mahadev Betting App Kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar Arrested In Oman; India Sends Formal Extradition Dossier To MuscatOfficials also said Indian agencies are examining whether Omani immigration laws provide any legal basis for deportation if it is established that Chandrakar entered the country using forged travel documents or without lawful authorisation. Any such action, however, would depend on the outcome of proceedings before the Omani authorities and the applicable legal framework.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

Absconding betting app kingpin held on Interpol Red Notice; ED alleges Rs 6,000 crore money laundering racket linked to politicians and bureaucrats.

India pursues extradition of Mahadev app founder Chandrakar detained in Oman over Rs 6,000 crore betting racket.