What CBI told special court to seek custody of Mahadev app ‘kingpin’ Saurabh Chandrakar

The HinduIndependentCenterNov 5

Ravi Uppal, identified as a co-promoter of the Mahadev online betting application, was arrested in the United Arab Emirates based on an Interpol Red Notice issued by Indian law enforcement. Indian authorities, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, are currently pursuing his extradition to face charges related to money laundering. This action follows the recent return of Saurabh Chandrakar, another promoter associated with the platform, who was extradited from Oman after a local court approved the transfer. Investigations allege that the app, operational since 2019, generated illicit proceeds estimated at 80,000 crore rupees and facilitated payments to various officials in Chhattisgarh state. Both individuals are residents of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, and a special court in Raipur recently granted custody of Chandrakar to the CBI for further interrogation.

Bias read (Center): The report relies exclusively on official statements from law enforcement agencies regarding legal proceedings and extradition status without employing loaded language or presenting opposing viewpoints.

The HinduIndependentCenterNov 5

A Special CBI court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, granted the Central Bureau of Investigation eight days of custody for Sourabh Chandrakar, identified as the alleged mastermind of the Mahadev online betting app scam valued at approximately 6,000 crore rupees. This decision followed Chandrakar's recent extradition from Oman to India, where he arrived in Raipur via a private flight on November 3, 2026. While the CBI requested ten days of custody, the court approved eight days and permitted the transfer of the accused to Delhi for interrogation due to security concerns raised by the investigating agency. Defense counsel argued that under the doctrine of speciality in extradition law, Chandrakar could only be prosecuted for the specific money laundering charges handled by the Directorate of Enforcement, rather than the broader criminal offenses investigated by the CBI. The CBI countered by citing an existing arrest warrant and the necessity of immediate interrogation, noting that the agency took over the probe in 2024 after finding the syndicate operated as one of the largest illegal online betting networks in the country.

Bias read (Center): The report maintains neutrality by presenting arguments from both defense and prosecution regarding legal jurisdiction and extradition constraints without using loaded language or favoring either side's narrative.

The Indian ExpressIndependentCenterNov 5

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has secured an eight-day custodial remand for Saurabh Chandrakar, identified as the alleged mastermind behind the Mahadev betting app syndicate operating in Chhattisgarh. During proceedings before a special CBI court in Raipur, prosecutors alleged that the group generated approximately 450 crore rupees monthly since 2020, utilizing fraudulent bank accounts and hawala networks to distribute funds. The CBI stated that a significant portion of these earnings was used to bribe police officers, government officials, and politicians to secure protection and prevent legal intervention against the operation. Chandrakar, who was previously based in the United Arab Emirates, was extradited to India specifically for an unrelated Enforcement Directorate case, leading his defense team to raise legal objections regarding the scope of his extradition. Despite the defense arguing that betting apps are legal in many jurisdictions and citing the lack of specific extradition orders for the current charges, the court granted the CBI custody to continue identifying the implicated public servants.

Bias read (Center): The report maintains neutrality by attributing all serious corruption allegations directly to CBI counsel while explicitly quoting the defense attorney's legal counterarguments and contextualizing the legality of betting apps globally.

Hindustan TimesIndependentCenterNov 4

Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev online betting platform and a key suspect in an illegal gambling syndicate, was arrested in Dubai according to Indian officials. This development follows the recent extradition of his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, from Oman. Indian agencies learned of Uppal's detention through unofficial channels, as no formal communication has yet been received from the United Arab Emirates. Both men hold Vanuatu passports and were previously linked to managing hawala networks and coordinating with local politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh. Authorities aim to expedite Uppal's extradition to facilitate further investigation into the flow of illicit funds.

Bias read (Center): The report relies on anonymous official sources and presents factual procedural updates regarding law enforcement actions without employing loaded language or omitting significant counter-perspectives.

India TodayIndependentCenterNov 2

The article profiles Sourabh Chandrakar, a former juice shop employee in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, who is accused of building a massive illegal betting empire known as the Mahadev app. According to the Enforcement Directorate, the syndicate generated approximately Rs 94,400 crore in criminal proceeds over a decade using offshore accounts and mule networks. Chandrakar’s lavish lifestyle, including a reported Rs 200-crore wedding in the UAE attended by Bollywood celebrities, drew significant investigative attention. He was recently extradited from Oman to India by the Central Bureau of Investigation, where he faces charges related to money laundering and fraud. The piece highlights his transition from a low-income background to a wealthy figure based in Dubai, noting his acquisition of a Vanuatu passport.

Bias read (Center): The reporting relies heavily on official enforcement agency data and maintains a neutral tone while describing the criminal allegations and extradition process.