CBI Brings Mahadev Online Betting App Promoter Sourabh Chandrakar Back to India From Oman Following Extradition
Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of Mahadev online betting syndicate, has been brought back to the country from Oman by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) along with other central agencies after his extradition. A special CBI team had gone to Oman and brought him back to India. He will be produced in CBI Special Court, Raipur on tomorrow.
Chandrakar is wanted in two CBI cases, where chargesheets have already been filed, and one Enforcement Directorate (ED) case. The state government of Chhattisgarh had sought a CBI probe into the Mahadev Online Book betting network case and the case was transferred to the agency.
The probe has revealed that Mahadev Online Book was part of one of the biggest illegal online betting networks in the country and was being run from outside India. The syndicate allegedly ran bets on cricket, football, cards and other events through a network of agents and branches across the country. These networks signed up users and took money from them.
The investigation found that the money from illegal betting was transferred through several bank accounts, including mule accounts, and sent abroad through hawala channels. Investigators also found that some of the money was allegedly used to pay bribes to public servants to allow the betting network to operate without interference.
The CBI has submitted charge sheets under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Indian Penal Code and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act. Chandrakar is one of the main accused in these cases. Meanwhile, several properties in India and abroad linked to the alleged betting syndicate have been attached by the ED.
The Royal Oman Police tracked down and arrested Chandrakar in Oman, based on an Interpol Red Corner Notice. Following his arrest, the CBI and ED sent formal extradition requests to Oman along with the evidence collected during their investigation.
The extradition process was carried out in coordination with various Indian agencies, Interpol’s National Central Bureau and authorities in Oman. After Oman approved the request, a CBI team travelled to Muscat and brought Chandrakar back to India.
The CBI thanked the Government of Oman and the Royal Oman Police for their cooperation, saying the extradition reflected the strong ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to fighting international organised crime.
Chandrakar will undergo a medical examination and will be taken to Raipur after the CBI obtains transit remand. He is scheduled to be produced before the CBI Special Judge in Raipur tomorrow.
