Dubai arrest of the alleged betting syndicate operator follows the extradition of co-promoter Saurabh Chandrakar from Oman as Indian agencies intensify their investigation
Ravi Uppal, co-promoter of the Mahadev online betting application, has been arrested in the United Arab Emirates, with Indian authorities initiating efforts to secure his extradition, officials said.
The 46-year-old was arrested in Dubai on the basis of an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Indian investigative agencies. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are coordinating efforts to bring him back to India for questioning.
The development comes days after another key promoter of the alleged betting syndicate, Saurabh Chandrakar, was extradited from Oman. Chandrakar was brought to India on November 1 following legal proceedings in connection with a money laundering investigation.
Both Uppal and Chandrakar hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and are accused of operating the Mahadev Online Book betting network.
Uppal had previously been detained by Dubai authorities in December 2023 following the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice. He was released after around 45 days. The ED had subsequently submitted an extradition request to the UAE in January 2024.
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Investigators allege that Uppal played a key role in managing the financial operations of the betting syndicate, including the movement of funds through hawala channels
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The agency has also accused him of involvement in concealing and transferring proceeds of alleged illegal betting activities
The Mahadev application, which reportedly began operations in 2019-20, expanded through a network of betting panels operating across multiple locations. Investigative agencies have alleged that the platform generated proceeds of crime running into thousands of crores of rupees.
The ED and CBI are continuing their investigations into the alleged illegal betting and money laundering network. Uppal’s extradition is expected to enable investigators to question him about the financial transactions, alleged money laundering channels and other individuals linked to the case.
The allegations against Uppal are yet to be established in court.
