Mahadev Betting Case: Delhi Court Grants 2-Day Transit Remand Of Sourabh Chandrakar After Extradition From Oman

A Delhi court on Monday granted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) two days' transit remand of Sourabh Chandrakar, a key accused in the Mahadev Online Book betting syndicate case, a day after he was extradited from Oman to India. Chandrakar, who was brought back by a CBI team on November 1, will now be taken to Chhattisgarh, where two cases linked to the betting network are being investigated.

A native of Bhilai, Chandrakar is wanted in two CBI cases in which chargesheets have been filed. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also named him in a money-laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

As per media reports, betting transactions through the wider Mahadev network reached Rs 94,000 crore.

It has also been alleged that the betting proceeds were used to fund elections and pay bribes to politicians, bureaucrats and police officers to shield the syndicate from coming into the light. The CBI and ED have named 116 accused, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, senior police officers and top state officials.

The betting syndicate

The Mahadev Online Book platform came under investigation after Chhattisgarh Police registered cases relating to illegal online betting. The ED subsequently initiated a money-laundering probe and identified Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, both from Bhilai, as the main promoters of the operation.

According to the agency, the duo ran the syndicate from Dubai through a franchise-based network of betting panels. Associates operated these panels across India, while the promoters controlled the larger network and its financial settlements. The betting proceeds were allegedly routed through mule bank accounts, layered through multiple transactions and transferred overseas through hawala channels.

Chandrakar's lavish wedding in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in February 2023 brought attention to the case. The ED alleged that around Rs 200 crore was spent on the celebrations. The event was reportedly attended by Bollywood personalities.

Alleged political and bureaucratic protection

It was alleged that part of the betting proceeds was paid to police officers, bureaucrats and political intermediaries to ensure that the syndicate could operate without interference.

In March 2024, the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered an FIR against 19 people, including former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, following information shared by the ED. The FIR alleged that the betting network received protection.

As per media reports, the ED took a statement from alleged cash courier Asim Das, who claimed that he had been instructed to deliver Rs 5.39 crore to Baghel. Das later retracted his statement, while Baghel denied the allegations and said that the investigation was politically motivated.

The CBI subsequently took over the investigation at the request of the Chhattisgarh government.

In July 2026, CBI filed a separate corruption chargesheet against six accused, including Ashim Das and alleged financial intermediaries

Who are Ravi Uppal and Shubham Soni?

Chandrakar allegedly built the betting operation with Ravi Uppal, an engineering graduate who was a frequent visitor to his family's juice shop, Juice Factory, in Bhilai. Chandrakar reportedly worked at the shop for a monthly salary of around Rs 15,000 before entering the betting business. The two subsequently shifted their operations to Dubai, where they allegedly controlled the syndicate's headquarters.

Uppal was detained by Dubai authorities in December 2023 following an Interpol Red Corner Notice but was subsequently released. He is believed to be in the UAE, and the ED is pursuing his extradition. The agency has also initiated proceedings to declare him a fugitive economic offender.

Shubham Soni, another accused, has claimed to be the actual owner and founder of the Mahadev betting platform, which he said he started in Bhilai in 2021. In a video message released in November 2023, Soni alleged that Chandrakar and Uppal worked for him as advisers. He also accused Baghel and his political adviser Vinod Verma of receiving protection money, claiming that Rs 508 crore was paid to the former Chief Minister. Baghel denied the allegations.

The ED, however, has identified Chandrakar and Uppal as the principal promoters of the syndicate. Soni is also named as an accused in the EOW case and is believed to be in the UAE. The ED has initiated proceedings to declare him a fugitive economic offender.

The ED has attached assets worth Rs 1,700 crore linked to Chandrakar, including luxury properties in Dubai.