New Delhi, Jan 08, 2026 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has renewed its efforts to bring Sourabh Chandrakar, co-founder of the controversial Mahadev app, back to India, sending a fresh extradition request to the United Arab Emirates. The request, which has already been routed through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeks the provisional arrest of Chandrakar so that legal proceedings can begin against him as the alleged mastermind of a ₹6,000 crore illegal betting syndicate, senior ED officials told HT.

Chandrakar, now in his early 30s, established the Mahadev betting empire alongside co-founder Ravi Uppal. Both fled to Dubai in 2019 and are believed to continue operating the network of betting apps and websites from the West Asian country. The network reportedly allows illegal wagering on poker, other card games, sports such as cricket, football, badminton, and tennis, as well as even election outcomes.

Background of Previous Detention

Based on an Interpol red notice, UAE authorities briefly detained Chandrakar in October 2024, placing him under house arrest. At that time, India had sent an extradition request, but it was not executed for reasons that remain unclear. Around the same period, Ravi Uppal went missing from the UAE after authorities decided to halt extradition proceedings against him.

The Supreme Court of India, in November 2025, directed the ED to pursue action against the founders of the Mahadev app, emphasizing that “kingpins of white-collar crimes cannot be allowed to treat courts and investigation agencies as mere instruments to play around with.” The renewed request for Chandrakar follows this directive, accompanied by a non-bailable arrest warrant, as officials said they have compiled “robust evidence” against him.

Financial Attachments and Proceeds of Crime

In addition to seeking extradition, the ED has moved to attach Chandrakar’s assets within India. The agency has already frozen ₹74 crore invested through foreign portfolio investors (FPI) and is preparing to attach assets worth over ₹1,000 crore, suspecting that the proceeds of crime from the Mahadev operations are far higher than initially estimated.

The Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) proceedings against Chandrakar and Uppal are also in the final stages. Under the FEO Act, authorities are empowered to confiscate and attach assets where the amount involved exceeds ₹100 crore, independent of any conviction.

Scope of the Investigation

The investigation has revealed the scale and reach of the Mahadev network. According to ED filings, the betting operations run at least 3,200 panels across different cities in India, reportedly generating ₹240 crore daily. The duo rented 20 villas in Dubai to accommodate a workforce of 3,500 staff members, highlighting the extensive infrastructure behind the operations.

The probe is being conducted jointly with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Chhattisgarh police, with investigations also examining possible involvement of government officials in Raipur. Notably, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has been named as an accused in the case.

Legal and Procedural Developments

The renewed extradition request aims to enable UAE authorities to provisionally arrest Chandrakar, paving the way for formal extradition proceedings. Officials believe that the arrest could take place in the coming days, although timelines depend on UAE protocols. Once extradited, Chandrakar is expected to face charges related to money laundering, illegal betting, and associated economic offences.

The ED has emphasized that the Mahadev founders and their operations demonstrate the evolving nature of cross-border economic crime and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in bringing fugitive economic offenders to justice.

With India pursuing legal action rigorously under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, this latest move signals the government’s intent to ensure accountability for high-value white-collar crime, while sending a strong message to individuals attempting to evade domestic law by fleeing abroad.