New Delhi: Ravi Uppal, a co-founder of the Mahadev Online Book betting platform, has approached the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF) seeking the removal of the Interpol red notice issued against him, according to people familiar with the development. Uppal has reportedly argued before the international body that he is being targeted in India for political reasons and would not receive a fair trial if extradited.
The red notice against Uppal was issued in October 2023, following which he was taken into custody in Dubai. An extradition request was sent to authorities in the United Arab Emirates in January 2024, but he was released within weeks. Since then, Uppal is believed to have fled the UAE and is currently untraceable.
Indian enforcement agencies have submitted a detailed response to the CCF, contesting Uppal’s claims and urging the panel to reject his plea. The response reportedly includes charge sheets and documentary evidence related to the Mahadev betting operation, which agencies describe as a large-scale and ongoing illegal gambling network.
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Claims Before Interpol Panel
In his submission to the CCF, Uppal has claimed that the proceedings against him in India are politically motivated and that he faces the risk of an unfair judicial process. The CCF is an independent five-member body within Interpol that reviews complaints related to data processing, including challenges to red notices issued against individuals.
Indian agencies, however, have argued that the red notice was issued strictly on the basis of criminal investigations and financial evidence, and not for any political purpose. Officials familiar with the matter said the enforcement response highlights the scale of alleged money laundering and illegal betting linked to the Mahadev platform.
Background of the Case
Uppal and his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, are alleged to have fled India in 2019 after setting up the Mahadev Online Book syndicate a year earlier. The platform allegedly enabled illegal betting on a wide range of activities, including card games, cricket, badminton, tennis, football and even elections.
Despite repeated bans on platforms and mirror applications linked to Mahadev, agencies claim the betting network continues to operate across multiple states through encrypted messaging apps, franchise-style betting panels and offshore servers.
According to charge sheets filed in the case, the betting syndicate was operating through at least 3,200 panels across different cities, generating estimated proceeds of around ₹240 crore per day at its peak. The alleged total value of the fraud has been pegged at approximately ₹6,000 crore.
Fugitive Status and Overseas Movement
After being released in the UAE, Uppal is believed to have left the country. Indian agencies have indicated that he may have acquired citizenship or travel documents from the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, though his current location remains unconfirmed.
Officials tracking the case say fugitives increasingly approach the Interpol oversight mechanism with allegations of political persecution, torture or denial of fair trial in an attempt to get red notices withdrawn. Such withdrawals, they argue, allow accused persons to travel freely and continue unlawful activities.
Precedents and Wider Context
The CCF has, in the past, withdrawn red notices in certain high-profile cases. In one instance, a red notice was withdrawn following claims of illegal detention overseas. In another case, multiple red notice requests were rejected despite Indian agencies contesting those decisions.
Enforcement officials have maintained that such withdrawals do not amount to a clean chit and do not bar domestic prosecution. In several cases, agencies have continued to pursue extradition and legal remedies through bilateral channels.
Next Steps
The CCF is expected to examine submissions from both sides before deciding whether the red notice against Uppal should remain in force. The outcome will determine whether international alerts restricting his movement continue.
Meanwhile, Indian agencies have also sent a fresh extradition request related to Chandrakar, who is believed to be operating underground in Dubai. Investigations into the Mahadev betting network are ongoing, with authorities continuing to track financial trails, digital infrastructure and overseas links.
