Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday lauded the efforts of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other central agencies for successfully extraditing Sourabh Chandrakar, the Kingpin of the Mahadev Online Book illegal betting syndicate.
Praising the achievement, Sai said the extradition was a significant achievement and expressed hope that Chandrakar’s interrogation would bring crucial information to light, particularly regarding the alleged payment of protection money to public servants.
The Chief Minister said the investigation would now help establish who received money from the illegal betting network. He also praised the CBI and other agencies for their efforts in bringing the accused back to India.
Chandrakar was extradited from Oman on Sunday by a specially deputed CBI team in coordination with other central agencies. He was located and detained by the Royal Oman Police following an Interpol Red Corner Notice.
A chargesheet is filed by the CBI under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery, and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act.
According to investigators, Chandrakar is a key promote in the Mahadev Online Book case, an alleged illegal betting syndicate estimated to be worth around Rs 6,000 crore. The platform reportedly facilitated betting on cricket, football, card games and other events through a network of franchised panels operating across India. Besides he was also wanted in two CBI cases and an ED case in which a separate chargesheet has been filed.
The CBI investigation has alleged that proceeds from the betting operation were routed through multiple bank accounts, layered through financial transactions and transferred abroad through hawala channels. A portion of the money was allegedly used to pay protection money to public servants to ensure the syndicate operated without interference.
He is expected to be produced before the Special CBI Court in Raipur as the investigation into the alleged betting network continues.
The extradition marks a significant achievement in India’ s efforts to nab citizens involved in criminal activities from abroad.