Dubai authorities have provisionally arrested Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev Online Book illegal betting app and a key accused in one of India’s largest alleged betting and money-laundering syndicates, Indian officials said Wednesday. The development came days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) secured the extradition of his partner and fellow promoter, Sourabh Chandrakar, from Oman.
As of late Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates had not sent any formal communication. An Indian government official described the arrest as a “breakthrough” and said agencies were gathering information through proper channels while moving to accelerate extradition proceedings. “We have learnt from reliable sources that Ravi Uppal has been arrested in Dubai. It is a breakthrough. We will try to get him extradited from the UAE as soon as possible,” the official said.
Chandrakar, the syndicate’s other principal promoter, was brought back to India on November 1 by a specially deputed CBI team after Omani authorities approved India’s request. A special court in Raipur later granted the CBI eight days’ custody. Both men, natives of Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, face cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and related criminal charges. They are named among 116 accused in ED complaints; 14 people have been arrested so far in the probe.
The ED estimates that crime proceeds connected to Mahadev Online Book and similar Platforms could reach up to ?94,400 crore over the past ten years. Of this amount, about ?4,000 to ?5,000 crore is believed to have been sent abroad. Previously, the estimate was ?6,000 crore.
According to the ED, the network ran more than 3,200 franchise panels from its Dubai head office, taking bets on cricket, other sports, card games, and election results using WhatsApp and Telegram. Reports also indicate that the network moved money through mule accounts and hawala channels.
Uppal, who also worked out of Dubai, was named in an Interpol Red Notice in October 2023. Dubai authorities detained him in December, but released him after about 45 days, even though the ED sent an extradition request in January 2024. He later left the UAE, got Vanuatu citizenship, and tried unsuccessfully to have the Red Notice removed. The ED opposed his appeal. Officials say he has recently returned to Dubai. Both promoters now have Vanuatu passports, which they obtained after leaving India.
According to the ED, Chandrakar handled promotion and operations. At the same time, Uppal managed the Dubai head office, financial settlements, hawala transfers worth hundreds of crores, and worked with betting operators and contacts in India. Investigators say Uppal is a key link in tracing the money trail and finding the beneficiaries. The agency is also looking for another accused, Vikash Chhaparia, in Dubai.
The investigation revealed that protection money was paid to public servants and politically exposed persons in Chhattisgarh. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is listed as an accused in a CBI FIR, but not in every chargesheet. Now that both Chandrakar and Uppal are in custody, officials hope questioning them will reveal the syndicate’s full structure, its overseas assets, and its beneficiaries in India.
Extradition proceedings for Uppal are still in the early stages and are awaiting formal confirmation and the necessary diplomatic steps.