Raipur, Nov 3 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday brought Saurabh Chandrakar, the main accused in the multi-thousand-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, to Raipur from Delhi, officials said.
Chandrakar, who faces allegations of being involved in an illegal betting network estimated to be worth around Rs 6,000 crore, arrived in the Chhattisgarh capital on flight E6 2307.
He was extradited from Oman and produced before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Monday. Principal District and Sessions Judge Nikhil Chopra granted the CBI a two-day transit remand and directed that Chandrakar be produced before the Special CBI Court in Raipur by November 4, or earlier.
Chandrakar had been absconding after the investigation into the betting network intensified. He was reportedly living in Dubai since 2023 and was the subject of an Interpol Red Corner Notice. Investigators alleged that he used forged identity documents, including an Indonesian passport in the name of Ajanta Mendis, to evade arrest before moving to Oman.
Oman's Royal Police arrested him on July 8, 2026. Following extradition proceedings involving Indian agencies, Interpol and Omani authorities, a CBI team brought him to India from Muscat on November 1.
The CBI is investigating the case after the Chhattisgarh government transferred 13 FIRs to the agency. Charge sheets have been filed in two of the cases. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting a parallel money-laundering probe and has filed a prosecution complaint against Chandrakar.
During Monday's hearing, Chandrakar's counsel questioned the legality of his extradition for the CBI case, arguing that Oman's approval covered only the ED investigation. The CBI opposed the contention, stating that the cases were interlinked and that the issue could be considered by the court in Raipur.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed Chandrakar's arrest, saying it could lead to major revelations about the alleged flow of protection money.
Investigators allege that Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal and their associates operated the betting network through multiple platforms and panels, with proceeds routed through bank accounts to the UAE. Chandrakar is expected to be questioned by the CBI, followed by the ED.
