Delhi: Saurabh Chandrakar, the mastermind and kingpin behind the ‘Mahadev Online Book’ app—which facilitated illegal betting worth crores of rupees across the country—has been extradited from Oman to India. A special team dispatched by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) traveled to Muscat to bring him back; he is set to be produced before a special CBI court in Raipur on Monday.
Saurabh Chandrakar was taken into custody by the Royal Oman Police based on a ‘Red Corner Notice’ issued by Interpol. In connection with the case, both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had submitted substantial evidence to the Omani government and requested his extradition. Following a medical examination, the CBI team will secure transit remand and transport him to Raipur.
How did the massive *hawala* (illegal money transfer) and betting network operate?
The CBI investigation has uncovered several explosive revelations regarding the ‘Mahadev Online Book’ illegal betting empire. This organization, one of India’s largest illegal betting syndicates, was controlled from abroad.
Betting amounts running into crores of rupees were collected from users across the country through a network of franchise panels and branches. These funds were then transferred via ‘mule bank accounts’ and funneled abroad through the *hawala* (informal money transfer) network. To ensure the syndicate operated without interference, bribes were paid to officials for protection.
Request by the Chhattisgarh Government – CBI Charge Sheet:
The CBI, which took up the investigation at the request of the Chhattisgarh government, has filed a charge sheet invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act, as well as provisions related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a prosecution complaint and has attached assets worth crores of rupees—belonging to Saurabh Chandrakar—located both in India and abroad. The CBI has commended the successful handover, which was facilitated through diplomatic coordination between the governments of New Delhi and Oman.