Mahadev Betting App: Key Accused Sourabh Chandrakar Sent to Judicial Custody

Sourabh Chandrakar, a promoter of the Mahadev online betting app and a key accused in the alleged multi-crore scam, was produced before a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Raipur upon the conclusion of his eight-day custody. Special Judge Manoj Kumar Singh Thakur ordered him to be placed in judicial custody until November 19, following which he will be kept at the Raipur Central Jail. Defense counsel Tushar Giri stated that the central agency did not seek any further remand, leading to the judicial custody order.

Enforcement Directorate Application Dismissed

During the court proceedings, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel money laundering investigation into the operations, filed an application seeking to execute a previously issued non-bailable warrant against the accused. According to defense representatives, the court rejected this application. ED counsel Sourabh Kumar Pandey indicated that the financial investigation agency would subsequently approach a PMLA court to seek formal arrest in connection with the money laundering allegations.

Extradition and Allegations Against the Network

Chandrakar was extradited to India from Oman earlier this month and initially brought before the Raipur court on November 4, where an initial eight-day CBI custody was granted with permission to take him to Delhi for questioning. Investigators allege that the platform functioned as one of the country's largest illegal online betting networks, operating from abroad via franchise panels, branch networks, and mule accounts to channel funds overseas through hawala routes, with an estimated proceeds of crime reaching roughly Rs 6,000 crore.