Mahadev App Promoter Ravi Uppal Arrested in UAE Following Interpol Notice
Ravi Uppal, a key promoter of the Mahadev betting platform, has been detained in the UAE as Indian authorities initiate extradition proceedings to address a ₹6,000 crore money laundering case.
Indian authorities confirmed the arrest of Ravi Uppal, co-promoter of the Mahadev online betting platform, in Dubai. The detention follows an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Indian law enforcement, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Uppal’s arrest follows the recent extradition of his associate, Saurabh Chandrakar, from Oman. Chandrakar is currently in CBI custody in Raipur. Indian investigators allege that the Mahadev platform served as a syndicate for illegal betting on sports, utilizing a network of franchised panels to operate domestically while managing finances from abroad.
The ED estimates that the illegal betting scheme generated proceeds of approximately ₹6,000 crore. Allegations suggest that the syndicate utilized mule accounts and hawala channels to launder funds, with investigators exploring potential links between the illicit operation and various public officials. To date, the ED has attached or frozen assets exceeding ₹4,300 crore in connection with the investigation.
Legal proceedings remain ongoing, with the ED having conducted over 175 searches and made 13 arrests related to the case. Authorities are now coordinating with UAE officials to facilitate Uppal's return to India to face prosecution.