Saurabh Chandrakar, one of the key accused in the alleged Mahadev Online Betting App case, has reportedly been arrested in Oman on charges of entering the country using a forged Indonesian passport. Indian authorities have initiated the process to bring him back to India, where he is wanted in connection with a multi-crore illegal betting and money laundering investigation.

According to media reports, Chandrakar was apprehended by the Royal Oman Police based on an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Indian investigating agencies. He is currently being held at the high-security Al Khoud Detention Centre in Muscat while legal proceedings continue.

Arrest Linked to Alleged Fake Passport

Reports indicate that Chandrakar is facing charges of using forged travel documents and illegally entering Oman. Authorities believe he travelled to the country after leaving the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he had been residing for some time.

He has reportedly engaged a team of lawyers in Muscat to contest the proceedings. However, officials familiar with the matter believe obtaining bail may prove difficult because the use of forged passports is treated as a serious criminal offence under Omani law.

Extradition Process Expected

Following his arrest, Indian authorities have begun preparing formal extradition documents to seek Chandrakar's return.

Officials believe the move to travel to Oman using an alleged forged passport may have been an attempt to complicate or delay the extradition process. Under Omani law, the use of forged travel documents can attract imprisonment of three to five years along with financial penalties if the allegations are proven.

Interpol Red Notice Remains Valid

Chandrakar had earlier approached the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL's Files (CCF), seeking the withdrawal of the Red Notice issued against him.

He argued that the criminal proceedings initiated in India were politically motivated and that he would not receive a fair trial. However, the Commission rejected his plea, observing that the investigation primarily concerns financial crimes, including alleged money laundering and illegal betting operations, and does not fall within the category of political persecution.

As a result, the Interpol Red Notice against him continues to remain in force.

Multi-Crore Betting Investigation

Saurabh Chandrakar is among the principal accused in the Mahadev Online Betting App case, which is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Investigators are probing allegations of illegal online betting, money laundering and large-scale financial transactions involving thousands of crores of rupees.

According to the Enforcement Directorate, more than 175 search operations have been conducted in connection with the case so far. The agency has arrested 13 accused persons, named 74 individuals in the investigation and filed five prosecution complaints before the Special PMLA Court in Raipur.

The ED has further stated that movable and immovable assets worth approximately ₹4,336 crore have been attached, frozen or seized during the course of the investigation.

Previous Attempts to Secure Custody

Indian agencies had earlier attempted to bring Chandrakar back from the UAE. In 2024, he was briefly detained in Dubai following the Interpol Red Notice but was later released, and extradition could not be completed.

His latest arrest in Oman is expected to revive India's efforts to secure his custody through formal legal channels.

A major online IPL betting racket linked to hawala transactions and international betting networks has been busted by Chhattisgarh Police after a raid in Goa led to the arrest of six accused allegedly operating illegal cricket betting operations. Investigators revealed that the accused were using an application capable of providing live cricket match updates nearly seven seconds before public television broadcasts, helping them manipulate betting rates and gain an advantage during IPL matches.

The operation was carried out by Raigarh Police in connection with an online cricket betting case registered under the Kotwali police station limits. Officials said the accused were operating from a rented villa near Candolim Beach in Goa, where they managed betting IDs, coordinated transactions and handled real-time IPL betting activities connected to several cities across central India.

According to police officials, the arrested accused have been identified as Amit Mittal, Mohit Somani, Prakash Wadhwani, Akash Motwani, Rahul Khandelwal alias Babu and Sulabh Khandelwal alias Chhota Babu. Investigators said all six accused were actively engaged in online cricket betting and were linked to a larger betting syndicate associated with a network allegedly operated by a figure identified as “Mannu Nathani,” who is believed to be connected to a wider illegal betting operation in central India.

Police sources stated that the accused received betting IDs from Dubai-based operators and distributed them to local agents and players across multiple cities. The betting network reportedly functioned in a layered structure where larger handlers supplied IDs to smaller operators and agents in exchange for commissions on transactions and betting activities.

Officials revealed that the accused used a specialised live-update application that delivered match developments approximately seven seconds earlier than regular television or online streaming broadcasts. This time advantage allowed the syndicate to update betting rates instantly during IPL matches and profit from rapid changes in odds before regular users could react. Investigators believe the technology gave operators a significant edge over ordinary bettors and generated large-scale profits during ongoing IPL matches.

The investigation reportedly began after earlier arrests in an online cricket betting case involving accused Karan Chaudhary alias Karan Agrawal, Pushkar Agrawal and Sunil Agrawal. During questioning, police received important leads regarding a wider hawala network and connections to major betting syndicates operating across multiple states. Following these disclosures, cyber cell officials and Kotwali police initiated a technical investigation that eventually traced digital activity from Raigarh, Raipur, Sakti and Kharsia to Goa.

Acting on the inputs, police teams conducted raids at the rented villa in the Candolim Beach area. Officials claimed the accused attempted to destroy mobile phones and important documents after receiving information about the police action. However, police teams managed to seize 10 mobile phones and several digital records during the operation. Authorities are now examining electronic evidence to identify additional operators, financial links and betting transactions associated with the network.

Investigators said preliminary examination of seized devices revealed evidence of hawala transactions used for transferring large sums linked to betting operations. Police sources stated that serial numbers of currency notes and coded financial details were allegedly shared through mobile applications as part of the illegal money transfer mechanism. Earlier during the investigation, authorities had also seized more than Rs 1 crore in cash from persons linked to the betting network.

Police officials further stated that several of the accused already have criminal cases related to online betting registered against them in different districts. Amit Mittal reportedly faces cases connected to cricket betting in Raigarh, Kharsia and Gharghoda, while Mohit Somani is said to have multiple betting-related cases registered in Raipur. Authorities believe the remaining accused were also actively associated with illegal betting operations for a considerable period.

The investigation has also pointed toward similarities with the controversial Mahadev betting app network, where betting IDs allegedly originated from Dubai-based handlers before being routed to operators in Indian metropolitan cities. From there, agents reportedly distributed the IDs to smaller betting operators and players across cities including Nagpur, Raipur and other parts of central India.

Officials said the latest arrests have exposed another layer of organised online betting operations that combine digital platforms, offshore operators and hawala networks. Police are now examining whether additional financial channels, shell operators or interstate syndicates are connected to the racket. Authorities are also investigating the scale of online transactions conducted through the betting network during the ongoing IPL season.

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Raipur Online Betting Racket: Three Held, Business Links Suspected

Raipur online betting racket bust sees three arrests; probe into ‘Teen Panel 777’ network and possible links to businessmen intensifies

 In a fresh crackdown on illegal online gambling, police in Raipur have arrested three individuals allegedly running an organised betting syndicate under the name “Teen Panel 777”. The Raipur online betting racket, officials say, may have links to influential business circles in the city, prompting a wider probe.

The arrests were made on Tuesday in the Telibandha police station area. The accused have been identified as Naman Jaggi, Ayush Jain and Mohammad Sarfaraz. Acting on their inputs, police have detained nine more suspects for questioning, as the investigation begins to widen.

Network under scanner

According to officials familiar with the matter, the accused were operating multiple online betting platforms simultaneously. These platforms functioned through a layered system of “master IDs” and sub-panels, allowing users to place bets while masking the identity of operators.

Preliminary findings suggest the network had been running in a structured manner for some time. “Initial reports indicate a well-coordinated setup, with clear roles assigned within the syndicate,” a senior police officer said, requesting anonymity.

Digital trail and seizures

During the operation, police seized several electronic devices, including mobile phones and laptops, along with betting records and documents linked to financial transactions running into crores. Two cars and a small amount of cash were also recovered.

Investigators are now examining the digital evidence to map out the extent of the operation and identify other beneficiaries. “The documents recovered are being analysed. They could reveal the scale of transactions and those involved,” an official said.

Business links suspected

One of the more significant angles emerging from the probe is the possible involvement of local businessmen and jewellers. Sources said the accused may have been in contact with individuals from the सर्राफा (bullion) and hotel sectors.

While officials have not confirmed any names, they indicated that this aspect is under active investigation. “We are verifying financial linkages. If there are connections with larger कारोबारी groups, action will follow accordingly,” a police official noted.

Social media role

Investigators believe the network relied heavily on messaging platforms and social media to expand its reach. Users were reportedly added through invitation links and then assigned unique IDs to participate in betting activities.

The ease of access and anonymity offered by such platforms has made online betting networks harder to track, officials admitted. However, they added that sustained surveillance helped in building the case against the accused.

Earlier arrest of mastermind

The latest arrests come weeks after the arrest of alleged mastermind Babbu Khemani—also known as Gulshan Khemani—on April 17 from Mumbai. Police had then described him as a key figure behind a high-profile betting operation inspired by popular illegal apps.

Khemani was linked to an online platform named “3 Stumps”, reportedly modelled on similar betting applications. Authorities had seized assets worth around ₹60 lakh, including a luxury car, during that कार्रवाई.

International angle probed

The investigation into Khemani also revealed a possible international dimension, particularly links to Dubai. Officials are examining whether overseas connections played a role in funding or operating the network.

There were also indications that Khemani had interacted with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi during his travels. However, police clarified that no direct link between that meeting and the betting operations has been established so far.

Image-building strategy

Sources involved in the probe said Khemani projected himself as a successful influencer on social media, showcasing a lavish lifestyle. This, they believe, helped him attract followers and lure them into betting networks under the guise of match predictions, particularly during Indian Premier League seasons.

“Users were drawn in through prediction tips and then redirected to betting panels,” a source said.

Investigation continues

Police officials indicated that further arrests in the Raipur online betting racket are likely in the coming days. The focus remains on dismantling the entire network and identifying its financial backbone.

A detailed disclosure of the matter is expected later in the evening, as investigators continue questioning suspects and analysing seized material.