Sourabh Chandrakar, who promoted the Mahadev Online Book app and allegedly masterminded an unlawful betting network, has been brought back from the Sultanate of Oman by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
A special CBI team travelled to Muscat and escorted him back to India, where he faces a scheduled appearance before a special court in Raipur on Monday.
Extradition From Oman Follows Red Corner Notice
Following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him, the Royal Oman Police tracked down and placed Chandrakar under arrest. Following his detention, the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate submitted formal extradition proposals to Oman along with gathered investigative evidence. Indian authorities pursued the request in coordination with various central agencies, the Interpol National Central Bureau, and Omani authorities. A specially deputed CBI team then travelled to Muscat to take custody of the fugitive.
Did You Know? Before building the Mahadev Online Book betting syndicate, Sourabh Chandrakar owned a juice shop in Chhattisgarh’s Bhilai district until 2017. He later fled India on February 16, 2022, months before the Enforcement Directorate initiated a money laundering probe, and subsequently operated the application from a Dubai office that doubled as his residence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with other Central Agencies, has successfully secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, the kingpin and promoter of the Mahadev App illegal betting syndicate, from the Sultanate of Oman today.A CBI team specially… pic.twitter.com/4YAAiSR6Tk
Syndicate operated illegal betting across India
According to the CBI, investigations revealed that Mahadev Online Book operated as one of the country’s largest illegal online betting syndicates from outside India. The platform facilitated betting on cricket, football, card games, and other events through a nationwide network of franchised panels and branches that enrolled users and collected stakes. The Hindustan Times notes that the syndicate operated through several platforms and domain names, including Tiger Exchange, Gold365, and Laser247.
Investigators discovered that money earned through the illicit betting activities was channelled through numerous mule bank accounts, divided across multiple transactions, and sent overseas via hawala networks. The CBI stated that a portion of the illicit funds was allegedly used to pay protection money to public servants to ensure the syndicate could operate without hindrance. The agency filed chargesheets under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, provisions relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery, and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act following a request from the Chhattisgarh government.
Expert Insight: The successful extradition of a primary syndicate figure from the Middle East highlights the expanding reach of bilateral law enforcement cooperation between India and regional authorities. By combining Interpol mechanisms with coordinated financial probes into hawala channels and mule accounts, investigative agencies are increasingly targeting the transnational infrastructure underpinning large-scale digital gambling operations.
Investigators estimate billions in betting proceeds
Chandrakar is wanted in two CBI cases with filed chargesheets and a separate Enforcement Directorate case involving a submitted prosecution complaint. The Enforcement Directorate has estimated the alleged proceeds of crime generated by the Mahadev online betting app and its sister websites at around ₹6,000 crore according to the Hindustan Times, while ThePrint notes an agency estimation of up to ₹75,000 crore. In March, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth approximately ₹1,700 crore, including luxury villas and high-end apartments in Dubai, such as properties in the Burj Khalifa.
Cbi secures transit remand for Sourabh Chandrakar
What will happen to Sourabh Chandrakar upon his return to India?
Following his extradition and a mandatory medical examination, Chandrakar will be taken to Raipur after the CBI obtains transit remand. He will then be produced before the CBI Special Court in Raipur on Monday.
Which agencies investigated the Mahadev Online Book syndicate?
The investigation is led by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the case following a request from the Chhattisgarh government, alongside the Enforcement Directorate, which has submitted a prosecution complaint and attached several properties.
CBI Extradites Mahadev Betting App Kingpin Sourabh Chandrakar From OmanThe CBI has successfully extradited Sourabh Chandrakar, promoter of the Mahadev Online Book illegal betting syndicate, from Oman. A specially deputed CBI team escorted him back to India.Chandrakar is… pic.twitter.com/orXBwzE0TV
How did the syndicate allegedly launder its betting proceeds?
Probes by authorities revealed that earnings from the unlawful wagering operation passed through a multitude of mule accounts, were split across numerous transactions, and were transmitted abroad via hawala networks, with public officials receiving a share as protection payments.
How will this high-profile extradition impact ongoing investigations into other figures linked to the illegal betting network?
More on Sourabh Chandrakar
CBI extradites Sourabh Chandrakar the kingpin in Mahadev App betting cases, from Oman pic.twitter.com/Mit8ubYfJD
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in coordination with other Central Agencies has successfully secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of the Mahadev App illegal betting syndicate, from the Sultanate of Oman. A CBI team specially deputed to Oman, has… pic.twitter.com/5hGCHrW1ga
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in coordination with other Central Agencies has successfully secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of the Mahadev App illegal betting syndicate, from Oman Chandrakar was detained by the Royal Oman Police following… pic.twitter.com/9OmkDeGd39
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