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The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Abhishek Kumar, an alleged kingpin in the Mahadev online betting app case, shortly after he arrived at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad from Dubai. Investigators took Kumar into custody and conducted a search, during which several incriminating materials were recovered from his possession. Officials stated that preliminary scrutiny of the seized items indicates his active role in coordinating betting panels, collecting illicit proceeds, and channelling illegal funds into immovable properties in Dubai. Investigators also alleged that he worked in close coordination with key accused, including Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni, to manage operations under the Mahadev Book network.
Transfer of State Cases and Multiple Charge Sheets
The arrest forms part of a wider investigation that gathered momentum after the Chhattisgarh government transferred 13 related cases from various police stations to the federal agency. The central bureau has been probing the operational framework of the network, tracking the movement of suspected illicit funds and identifying individuals involved across various tiers of the syndicate.
So far, the agency has filed eight charge sheets naming approximately 100 accused persons. Those chargesheeted include primary promoters of the betting platform, panel operators, hawala couriers, and certain public servants from the Chhattisgarh government. Investigators are currently scrutinizing the precise financial structure that allowed the syndicate to collect, move, and conceal betting revenues over prolonged periods.
Red Corner Notices and Extradition Proceedings
Parallel to domestic actions, federal authorities have stepped up legal efforts to secure the return of the syndicate’s principal promoters based abroad. The agency has pursued the issuance of seven Red Corner Notices through international police cooperation channels and has submitted two formal extradition requests to relevant foreign jurisdictions.
Officials noted that Red Corner Notices facilitate the tracing and provisional detention of wanted individuals ahead of formal proceedings, though final extraditions depend on the legal and judicial processes of the host nations. Investigators are continuing to examine Kumar’s seized digital devices and documents to establish further international links, verify transactional records, and identify additional overseas assets tied to the betting operation.
Parallel Laundering Probe Finds Active Panels
Alongside the federal investigation, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting a separate inquiry under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to trace proceeds of crime. Recent findings from the anti-money laundering agency indicate that the Mahadev online booking app continues to operate, with numerous betting panels still functioning across jurisdictions.
Interrogators are questioning Kumar regarding the operational mechanics of the panel system, the methods used to collect money from users, and the specific routes taken to divert illicit revenue into foreign assets. Investigators expect the questioning to shed further light on the hierarchy connecting ground-level panel operators to the main promoters based overseas.
