Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of the popular online betting app ‘Mahadev Book Online’, was apprehended in Dubai on Friday, marking a significant development in the ongoing money laundering investigation. This arrest comes after an Interpol Red Corner Notice was issued at the behest of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), signifying the gravity of the case.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities informed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) about Chandrakar’s arrest on October 9th. The process of his extradition is expected to be finalized in the coming days, with relevant documents being submitted to the UAE authorities.
This development comes nearly ten months after Chandrakar was placed under “house detention” in Dubai, raising suspicions about his involvement in the alleged illegal activities of the Mahadev app. The UAE government’s decision to alert Indian investigative agencies after this move underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Chandrakar’s extradition is considered crucial for the ongoing investigation as he is believed to hold vital information related to the money laundering case. The case is linked to political figures in Chhattisgarh and other parts of India, suggesting a larger conspiracy involving influential individuals.
The ED had previously named Chandrakar, Uppal, and others in its initial charge sheet filed in a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur. The arrest of Chandrakar is expected to significantly advance the investigation, leading to further revelations and potentially exposing the network behind the illegal betting operations.
