Raipur, Nov 3 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday brought Saurabh Chandrakar, the prime accused in the alleged Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, to Raipur from Delhi for further investigation, officials said.
Chandrakar arrived in the Chhattisgarh capital on flight E6 2307, a day after being produced before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court following his extradition from Oman.
Principal District and Sessions Judge Nikhil Chopra granted the CBI a two-day transit remand and directed the agency to produce him before the Special CBI Court in Raipur by November 4, or earlier.
Chandrakar had been absconding since the investigation into the alleged betting network intensified. He was reportedly residing in Dubai since 2023 and was the subject of an Interpol Red Corner Notice.
Investigators alleged that he used forged identity documents, including an Indonesian passport in the name of Ajanta Mendis, to evade arrest before moving to Oman.
Oman’s Royal Police arrested him on July 8, 2026. Following formal extradition proceedings involving Indian agencies, Interpol and Omani authorities, a CBI team brought him to India from Muscat on November 1.
The CBI is probing the case after the Chhattisgarh government transferred 13 FIRs to the agency. Charge sheets have been filed in two of these cases. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is separately investigating the alleged money-laundering angle and has filed a prosecution complaint against Chandrakar.
During Monday’s hearing, Chandrakar’s counsel challenged the legality of his extradition for the CBI case, arguing that Oman’s approval covered only the ED investigation.
The CBI opposed the contention, maintaining that the two investigations were interlinked and that the issue could be examined by the court in Raipur.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomed Chandrakar’s arrest, saying it could lead to significant revelations about the alleged flow of protection money.
Investigators allege that Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal and their associates operated the betting network through multiple platforms and panels. The proceeds were allegedly collected through various bank accounts and routed to the UAE, with the network reportedly controlled from Dubai.
Chandrakar is expected to be questioned by the CBI before the ED takes up its investigation, officials said.
