Mahadev betting app co-founder Ravi Uppal arrested in Dubai, extradition efforts underway

Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev online betting app and a key accused in the alleged multi-crore illegal betting and money laundering racket, has been arrested in Dubai, officials familiar with the development said on Wednesday. His detention comes days after Indian agencies secured the extradition of his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, from Oman.

Indian investigating agencies have learnt about Uppal's arrest through unofficial channels, but formal communication from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities is still awaited. Officials said efforts were underway to obtain confirmation through diplomatic and law enforcement channels and expedite proceedings for his extradition to India.

Uppal, a resident of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, is among the principal accused in the Mahadev Online Book case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

An Indian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the reported arrest as a major breakthrough and said authorities would seek his return from the UAE at the earliest.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

An Interpol Red Notice was issued against Uppal in October 2023, following which he was detained by Dubai authorities in December that year.

The ED subsequently submitted an extradition request to the UAE in January 2024. However, Uppal was released within approximately 45 days of his detention.

Investigators later learnt that he had left the UAE and was believed to be residing in Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation.

According to officials, Uppal recently returned to Dubai, where he has now reportedly been taken into custody again.

An ED officer said both Uppal and Chandrakar had obtained passports from Vanuatu after leaving India.

The latest development could provide Indian agencies another opportunity to pursue Uppal's extradition and question him about the financial transactions associated with the alleged betting network.

𝗨𝗽𝗽𝗮𝗹'𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲

According to the ED's investigation, Uppal and Chandrakar jointly controlled the Mahadev Online Book platform from Dubai, which functioned as the headquarters of the alleged illegal betting operation.

While Chandrakar primarily handled promotional activities and the platform's operations, Uppal allegedly supervised the financial network, including hawala transactions involving hundreds of crores of rupees.

Investigators have also alleged that Uppal coordinated with betting operators in Nagpur and maintained contacts with politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh.

An ED officer said Uppal's interrogation would be important in reconstructing the movement of money and identifying individuals who allegedly benefited from the proceeds of illegal betting.

The agency also suspects that some of Uppal's family members in India helped manage hawala transactions connected to the network.

These allegations form part of the ongoing investigation and have not been established by a final judicial determination.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗕𝗜 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗱𝘆

Uppal's reported arrest comes three days after Chandrakar was brought back to India from Oman on November 1 following coordinated efforts by the CBI, ED and other Indian authorities.

Chandrakar had been detained by the Royal Oman Police on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice before his extradition was secured.

On Wednesday, a special CBI court in Raipur granted the investigating agency eight days of custodial remand of Chandrakar.

The CBI had sought 10 days of custody to question him about the alleged betting syndicate, its financial operations and the role of associates.

Special Judge Manoj Kumar Singh Thakur allowed the agency to take Chandrakar to Delhi for interrogation. He is scheduled to be produced before the court again on November 12.

The CBI registered its case in December 2024 after taking over the investigation from Chhattisgarh's Economic Offences Wing.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝘀 𝟵𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬-𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸

Investigators have described Mahadev Online Book as a large transnational illegal betting operation that allegedly functioned through thousands of panels and associated betting platforms.

The network is accused of collecting money from users through numerous bank accounts, transferring funds across multiple layers of transactions and routing proceeds abroad through hawala channels.

According to the ED's estimates, the total transactions or proceeds linked to Mahadev Online Book and associated platforms could be worth approximately Rs 94,000 crore.

Of this, investigators suspect that between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore was transferred to promoters based overseas.

The ED has also alleged that the syndicate operated with the assistance of certain public officials and politically connected individuals in Chhattisgarh, who purportedly received illegal payments in exchange for allowing its activities to continue.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, whose name has figured in allegations connected to the investigation, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

The agency has filed multiple prosecution complaints against 116 accused persons and entities in connection with the case.

𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱

Apart from Uppal, the ED is also pursuing another accused, Vikash Chhaparia, who is believed to be in Dubai.

Investigators are examining the financial structure of the betting operation, including its network of operators, alleged money laundering arrangements and overseas beneficiaries.

With Chandrakar already in CBI custody, the possible extradition of Uppal could enable investigators to question both alleged promoters about the functioning of the syndicate and compare their accounts of its financial transactions.

However, Uppal's return to India will depend on confirmation of his detention and the completion of the applicable extradition procedures with UAE authorities.

Indian agencies are expected to continue coordinating with their counterparts in Dubai to establish his custody status and pursue further legal action.