CBI Extradites Key Accused in ₹6,000-Crore Mahadev Online Betting Syndicate Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has extradited Sourabh Chandrakar, a key accused in the alleged Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app case, from Oman, officials said on Sunday. A CBI team sent to Oman escorted Chandrakar back to India. He is scheduled to be produced before a special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, officials said.

According to a CBI spokesperson, Chandrakar was wanted in two CBI cases and one Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, in which chargesheets have already been filed. Chandrakar was located and detained by the Royal Oman Police following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him, the spokesperson said.

After receiving information from Muscat, the CBI and the ED submitted formal extradition requests to Oman, supported by evidence gathered against the accused. The process was pursued in coordination with Indian government agencies, Interpol's National Central Bureau and the competent Omani authorities.

The CBI described the extradition as a significant step in India's efforts to bring back fugitives accused of operating transnational criminal enterprises and ensure they face legal proceedings in the country. The agency took up the Mahadev Online Book cases following a request from the Chhattisgarh government.

Investigations allegedly revealed that the platform was among India's largest illegal online betting syndicates, operating from abroad through a network of franchised panels and branches across the country. The network reportedly offered betting on cricket, football, card games and other events while enrolling users and collecting stakes.

The CBI alleged that proceeds from the illegal betting operations were routed through numerous mule bank accounts, layered through multiple transactions and transferred abroad through hawala channels. Investigators also alleged that a portion of the proceeds was paid as protection money to public servants to facilitate the syndicate's operations.

The CBI registered cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act, while the ED initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Chandrakar is among the key accused named in the chargesheets. The CBI said the ED had attached several properties in India and abroad linked to the alleged syndicate.