Promoter of Mahadev Betting App Extradited to India Amid Major Money Laundering Investigation

Sourabh Chandrakar, who established the Mahadev betting network in 2018, has been extradited to India from Oman following a significant investigation into a ₹6,000 crore money laundering case. Indian authorities had previously sought his return after he was briefly detained in the UAE in October 2024 based on an Interpol Red Notice. He was later located and detained in Muscat by Omani police in June 2025.

A spokesperson for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) confirmed that formal extradition proposals were submitted to Oman, highlighting the cooperation between the two nations in combating organized crime. The spokesperson noted the importance of Chandrakar's extradition, stating that several public officials, including police officers and politicians, are under investigation for alleged bribery linked to the Mahadev promoters.

The CBI has named former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in the case, with claims that Chandrakar and his associate Ravi Uppal paid bribes totaling ₹508 crore to him. Baghel has denied these allegations. The Mahadev betting syndicate reportedly operated through a franchise-based network, facilitating illegal betting activities across India and generating substantial profits that were allegedly laundered through multiple bank accounts.

The case gained public attention following Chandrakar's extravagant wedding in Dubai, which reportedly cost around ₹200 crore, prompting scrutiny of the financial sources behind the Mahadev network. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has estimated that the syndicate generated proceeds of crime worth ₹94,400 crore over the past decade, with ongoing operations still in place.