Sourabh Chandrakar set for extradition in ₹5,000 cr Mahadev betting case, approved by UAE authorities

Sourabh Chandrakar, the primary accused in the ₹5,000 crore Mahadev betting scandal, is set to be extradited from the UAE to India within a week. This approval comes after the UAE authorities greenlit the extradition process, facilitated by the Indian External Affairs Ministry. Chandrakar has been in custody in Dubai since December, detained under an Interpol Red Corner Notice, and has been accused of operating an extensive international betting syndicate.

Chandrakar, who previously ran a juice shop in Chhattisgarh's Bhilai, allegedly built a criminal empire from Dubai, alongside his associate Ravi Uppal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims they established a network comprising around 4,000 panel operators across India, conducting illegal betting through call centers in Malaysia, Thailand, and the UAE. The network reportedly facilitated daily transactions of approximately ₹200 crore, effectively laundering money through a web of interconnected mobile apps.

The ED's investigation has led to significant asset seizures, including ₹417 crore from multiple locations in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhopal. High-ranking politicians, bureaucrats, and even police officials are alleged to have provided protection to the Mahadev operation. Notably, former Chhattisgarh Police officer Chandra Bhushan Verma has been named as one of the protectors, allegedly receiving bribes funneled from Dubai.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has faced accusations of involvement, claiming the allegations are politically motivated. He asserts that the state government had identified Chandrakar and Uppal as syndicate leaders and issued a notice for their apprehension, emphasizing that it was the central government’s responsibility to extradite them. As the extradition process moves forward, the case continues to expose deep connections between illegal betting, organized crime, and political corruption in India, with implications that extend into the Bollywood industry as well. The ED has summoned several celebrities for questioning regarding their potential links to the Mahadev app.