Mahadev Betting App Kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar Sent to 8-Day Police Custody
Saurabh Chandrakar, a key accused in the Mahadev betting app scam, has been sent to 8-day police custody for further interrogation.
The legal net has tightened around the operators of one of India's most notorious gambling syndicates. Saurabh Chandrakar, a primary accused in the Mahadev betting app kingpin case, has been remanded to police custody for eight days. A special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, granted the request, allowing investigators to keep him in custody until November 12.
The court has also granted permission for the authorities to take Chandrakar to Delhi for further examination, as the agency seeks to uncover the full extent of the illegal empire he allegedly helped build.
From Oman to Raipur: The Journey of an Accused
Chandrakar's return to India was the result of a complex international operation. He was apprehended in Oman by the Royal Oman Police after an Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued against him. Following formal extradition proceedings, a specialized team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) escorted him back to Indian soil.
Before his production in the Raipur court, the CBI took Chandrakar for a mandatory medical examination. He had been brought to Chhattisgarh from New Delhi on Tuesday, following a two-day transit remand secured from a Delhi court.
A Massive Illegal Syndicate
The CBI, which initiated its probe at the request of the Chhattisgarh government, has described the Mahadev Online Book platform as one of the largest illegal online betting networks in the country. Operating primarily from outside India, the syndicate managed a sophisticated operation that included:
- Diverse Betting Options: The platform facilitated illegal wagering on cricket, football, card games, and various other events.
- Franchise Network: The syndicate operated through a web of franchised panels and branches across India to enroll users and collect stakes.
- Money Laundering: Investigation reveals that proceeds were routed through numerous "mule" bank accounts and layered through multiple transactions.
- Hawala Channels: The funds were eventually transferred abroad using hawala channels to hide the money trail.
Corruption and Legal Battles
The investigation has uncovered a darker side to the operation. According to the CBI, a portion of the illegal earnings was allegedly used as protection money, paid to public servants to ensure the syndicate could operate without interference from law enforcement.
The legal onslaught against Chandrakar is multi-pronged:
- CBI Charges: The CBI has filed chargesheets under the Prevention of Corruption Act (1988), the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, and sections of the Indian Penal Code covering forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.
- ED Action: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed its own prosecution complaint against him and has already attached several properties, both within India and overseas, linked to the scam.
With Chandrakar now in custody, investigators are expected to delve deeper into the financial webs and the identities of other collaborators who facilitated this massive betting racket.