Mahadev betting app promoter Sourabh Chandrakar extradited to India from Oman

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has brought Sourabh Chandrakar, promoter of the Mahadev Online Book illegal betting syndicate, back to India from Oman following his extradition, marking a major development in the probe into one of the country's largest alleged online betting networks.A CBI team that travelled to Oman escorted Chandrakar to India. He will be medically examined and taken to Raipur after the agency obtains a transit remand. He is scheduled to be produced before the CBI Special Court in Raipur on Monday.Chandrakar is wanted in two CBI cases in which chargesheets have already been filed. He is also an accused in a separate Enforcement Directorate (ED) case, in which a prosecution complaint has been filed.According to the CBI, Chandrakar was traced and detained by the Royal Oman Police on the basis of an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him. The CBI and the ED subsequently sent formal extradition requests to Oman, along with evidence gathered against him. The process was pursued in coordination with various agencies of the Indian government, Interpol's National Central Bureau and the competent authorities in Oman.After the extradition was granted, a CBI team travelled to Muscat and escorted Chandrakar back to India. The agency thanked the Omani government and the Royal Oman Police for their cooperation, saying it reflected the close ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to tackling transnational organised crime.WHAT IS THE MAHADEV BETTING APP CASE?The CBI took over the investigation into the Mahadev Online Book cases at the request of the Chhattisgarh government. Its investigation found that the platform was allegedly among India's largest illegal online betting syndicates and was operated from outside the country. It offered betting on cricket, football, card games and other events through a network of franchised panels and branches spread across India.These outlets allegedly enrolled users and collected bets. The proceeds were routed through numerous mule bank accounts, layered through multiple transactions and transferred abroad through hawala channels.The investigation also found that a portion of the proceeds was allegedly used to pay protection money to public servants to ensure the syndicate could operate without interference.CBI AND ED PROBESThe CBI has filed chargesheets under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery, and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act. Chandrakar is among the key accused named in the chargesheets.The ED is separately investigating the money-laundering aspects of the case and has attached several properties in India and abroad.- Ends