Fraud accused Mahadev’s extradition reveals who took protection money: Chhattisgarh CM

ByTech Word News

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. File | Photo credit: PTI

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday (November 2, 2026) said the interrogation of betting app kingpin Mahadev Sourabh Chandrakar will reveal who took “protection money” from the syndicate.

Also read | Delhi court reserves order on CBI’s plea for transit custody of Sourabh Chandrakar

While the CM did not name anyone, he seems to be referring to the allegations that the betting scam had originally surfaced during the tenure of the previous Congress government in the state.

“The CBI has been constantly trying to bring Sourabh Chandrakar, the main accused in the Mahadev betting app case, back to India from abroad so that information related to the case can be obtained from him. His interrogation will reveal who all were receiving protection money,” Mr Sai told reporters.

Earlier on Sunday (November 1), the CBI said it had arranged for the extradition of Mr. Chandrakar from Oman in coordination with other agencies. He was produced before a Delhi court on Monday, which granted the CBI two-day transit remand of the accused. The order allowed the CBI to produce Mr. Chandrakar before the court of a special judge for CBI cases in Raipur on or before November 4.

Former CM named in FIR

After the BJP assumed power in Chhattisgarh, the State’s Economic Offenses (EOW) wing registered an FIR in March 2024, naming former CM Bhupesh Baghel and alleged promoters of the Mahadev app including Mr Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal and Shubham Soni as accused. In August 2024, the state government handed over 70 cases related to the alleged betting app scam registered at various police stations along with one EOW case to the CBI.

Mr. Baghel described the case as politically motivated.

Mr Chandrakar, the alleged leader of the network, was traced to Oman earlier this year. The Royal Oman Police traced and detained Mr Chandrakar on a Red Horn notice issued against him, after which the CBI and ED sent formal extradition requests to Oman along with the evidence collected against him, it said.

Published – 02 Nov 2026 22:41 IST