NEW DELHI, Oct 11: Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the key promoters of the Mahadev betting app, is expected to be brought back to India soon after being formally arrested in Dubai following an Interpol-issued Red Notice, official sources said on Friday.
Chandrakar, along with co-promoter Ravi Uppal, had been under “house arrest” in Dubai since last year after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) requested Interpol to issue the Red Notice. An RN allows countries to locate and provisionally arrest individuals pending extradition.
Sources have revealed that Chandrakar’s extradition or deportation to India could occur in the coming days. The ED is in the process of submitting the required documentation to Dubai authorities, who will then approach a competent court for approval.
Indian consulate officials in Dubai informed PTI that they have “not heard anything from UAE authorities yet.”
Chandrakar left India for Dubai in 2019, where he has been residing since. Before his departure, he operated a juice shop named “Juice Factory” in Bhillai town, Durg district, Chhattisgarh, with his brother.
The ED’s investigation into the Mahadev Online Book (MOB) app revealed a complex web of illegal betting and money laundering involving high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh. The app is part of a broader syndicate that arranges online platforms for illegal betting, enrolling users, creating accounts, and laundering money through multiple benami bank accounts.
To date, the ED has arrested 11 individuals in connection with this case, filing two charge sheets, including one against Chandrakar and Uppal. The Chhattisgarh Police are also conducting a parallel investigation.
The proceeds of crime in this case are estimated to be around Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED. Chandrakar’s extravagant wedding in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in February 2023, allegedly cost Rs 200 crore in cash, with private jets hired for relatives and Bollywood celebrities paid to perform at the event.
The ED has summoned several Bollywood celebrities to probe their involvement with the online betting platform, particularly regarding payment methods and their connection to the app.
