Story perspectives

CBI Arrests Abhishek Kumar in Mahadev Betting Probe

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 10:58 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

CBI arrested Abhishek Kumar at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Airport after arriving from Dubai.
CBI said Kumar coordinated betting panels, collected funds and bought Dubai property with alleged proceeds.
Seized material linked Kumar prima facie to operating the Mahadev Betting App.
CBI filed eight chargesheets against 100 accused, alleging the app generated Rs 80,000 crore proceeds since 2019.
CBI issued seven Red Corner Notices and two extradition proposals; extradition underway for two accused.

History

Historical Context

The Indian Premier League’s inaugural season launched in 2008, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) to commercialize cricket on an unprecedented scale. By 2015, the Supreme Court of India estimated illegal betting on IPL matches had generated roughly Rs 30,000 crore, prompting Maharashtra’s law-enforcement agencies to issue warnings. Today, the Central Bureau of Investigation’s raid on the Mahadev Betting App mirrors that earlier surge, as authorities again target organized betting networks exploiting digital platforms. The pattern suggests that each betting boom triggers intensified federal probes, foreshadowing stricter regulatory frameworks and potential legislative reforms to curb future illicit gambling revenues.

1 of 2

Story summary

CBI arrested Abhishek Kumar at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi Airport after arriving from Dubai.
CBI said Kumar coordinated betting panels, collected funds and bought Dubai property with alleged proceeds.
Seized material linked Kumar prima facie to operating the Mahadev Betting App.
CBI filed eight chargesheets against 100 accused, alleging the app generated Rs 80,000 crore proceeds since 2019.
CBI issued seven Red Corner Notices and two extradition proposals; extradition underway for two accused.

1 / 2