Mahadev’s betting syndicate “King” issued from Oman

Sourabh Chandrakar, the alleged ringleader in the ₹6,000 crore online betting app Mahadev case, flanked by CBI officials after he was extradited from Oman to India. | Photo credit: PTI

Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the promoters of illegal betting app Mahadev Online Book, has been extradited to India from Oman, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) spokesperson said on Sunday (Nov 1, 2026).

“(The CBI) in coordination with other central agencies has successfully secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of illegal betting syndicate Mahadev App, from the Sultanate of Oman,” a CBI official said.

The development comes months after Chandrakar, who hails from Chhattisgarh’s Durg district and was described by investigative agencies as one of the masterminds behind the alleged ₹6,000 crore Mahadev Online Book betting scam, was traced to the Gulf country. Following an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him, he was located and detained by the Royal Oman Police, after which the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent formal extradition proposals to Oman.

A CBI official said a team of the agency, which was specially assigned to Oman, had escorted Chandrakar back to India and that he would now be produced before the Special CBI Court in Raipur. “The accused will be medically examined and taken to Raipur after receiving transit custody. He will be produced before the special CBI judge in Raipur tomorrow (November 2),” the official said.

A betting syndicate

In 2024, the cases related to the alleged Mahadev app scam were handed over to the CBI while the ED investigated the money laundering aspects of the cases. Investigators said Mahadev Online Book was one of the largest illegal online betting syndicates in the country and that it was operated out of India.

It allegedly offered illegal betting on cricket, football, card games and other events through a network of franchised “panels” and “branches” located across India that registered users and collected bets from them.

The official said Chandrakar was wanted in two CBI cases in which chargesheets have already been filed and an ED case in which a chargesheet has been filed. The CBI filed the chargesheet under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act.

‘Significant Milestone’

The official said the extradition marked a major milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to bring back fugitives who run transnational criminal enterprises against Indian citizens from abroad and make them face due process of Indian law, although the agency credited other agencies and thanked the Omani government.

“(The) CBI gratefully acknowledges the cooperation extended by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman and the Royal Oman Police, which reflects the close and friendly relations between the two countries and their shared commitment to combating transnational organized crime,” the official said.

Published – 01 Nov 2026 21:01 IST