New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at 33 locations across six states in connection with the Mahadev Online Book betting app case. The searches targeted premises linked to panel operators of the illegal online betting platform and followed disclosures made by its key accused, Sourabh Chandrakar, after his extradition from Oman.
During the searches, investigators found live betting and gambling panels operating at various locations and dismantled them. The CBI also recovered and seized digital devices, mobile phones and documents allegedly showing the use of mule bank accounts and a hawala network.
Searches Conducted in 13 Cities
The searches were carried out in Amritsar, Delhi, Nagaur, Dholpur, Bhopal, Raipur, Durg, Indore, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai and Nagpur.
According to the investigation, Chandrakar is one of the principal promoters of the Mahadev Online Book platform. He was extradited from Oman and arrested by the CBI on November 1. The Special Judge (CBI Cases) in Raipur subsequently granted the agency eight days of police custody for his interrogation.
During questioning, Chandrakar reportedly disclosed details about the platform’s functioning and its network of panel operators in India. Investigators also confronted him with documentary and digital evidence collected during the probe.
CBI Probe Reveals Betting Network and Hawala Links
The investigation so far has indicated that the platform is operated from abroad through a head office and functions in India through a large network of panel operators.
These operators allegedly manage customer IDs, collect betting money through bank accounts opened or hired in the names of other people, and transfer profits abroad through hawala channels.
The CBI has registered two FIRs in the Mahadev Online Book case after the investigation was transferred to the agency by the Chhattisgarh government.
After his police custody ended, Chandrakar was produced before the Special Judge (CBI Cases) in Raipur on November 12 and remanded to judicial custody until November 19.
The investigation is continuing into the roles of other accused, including those based abroad, people who allegedly facilitated the operations and public servants. The agency is also taking steps to secure the extradition of other absconding accused.