Full Breakdown
CBI Arrests Key Accused in Mahadev Betting App Case
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Arrest of Abhishek Kumar at Hyderabad Airport
On September 24, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) detained Abhishek Kumar at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad after his arrival from Dubai. The agency searched his belongings, seized material linking him to the Mahadev Betting App, and produced him before a Hyderabad court for a three-day transit remand before transferring him to Raipur for a two-day police-custody remand.
Background and Context
The Mahadev Betting App, also called the Mahadev Online Book (MOB), is alleged to have run an illegal online gambling network from Dubai since 2019. The Chhattisgarh government transferred 13 FIRs to the CBI, which took over the investigation. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a parallel money-laundering probe.
Key Figures
- Abhishek Kumar – alleged kingpin, arrested in Hyderabad.
- Saurabh Chandrakar – promoter, identified as a co-mastermind and absconding.
- Shubham Soni – key accused who worked with Kumar and Chandrakar.
- Ravi Uppal – co-promoter, also absconding and subject to extradition efforts.
Data and Statistics
- The CBI has filed eight charge sheets covering 100 accused persons.
- The agency reports alleged proceeds of INR80,000 crore since 2019.
- The ED’s charge sheet claims INR94,400 crore in illicit proceeds over ten years, with an estimated INR11,000 crore earned annually.
- Seven Red Corner Notices and two extradition proposals have been issued against the main promoters.
Official Statements & Responses
A CBI spokesperson said the seized material “prima facie indicates” Kumar’s role in coordinating betting panels, collecting funds and acquiring assets in Dubai. The spokesperson noted Kumar’s close work with Chandrakar and Soni.
The ED alleged the network laundered INR94,400 crore, channeling funds into Indian equity markets via foreign portfolio investments, and cited additional illicit earnings of INR14,000 crore from related apps.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the fraud’s magnitude:
- CBI: INR80,000 crore since 2019.
- ED: INR94,400 crore over ten years, INR11,000 crore annually.
- Some reports label it a INR6,000 crore scam, focusing on bettor losses.
These discrepancies stem from the CBI’s focus on betting operations versus the ED’s money-laundering lens. No unified figure has been independently verified.
Impact and Ongoing Efforts
The arrest highlights a crackdown on cross-border online gambling and money-laundering. Efforts to repatriate Chandrakar and Uppal continue, with Red Corner Notices and extradition proposals already dispatched. Authorities plan further investigations to target additional absconding suspects and recover alleged proceeds.
Timeline
- September 24 – Abhishek Kumar arrested at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad; material seized; remand obtained in Hyderabad and Raipur courts.