New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Central Bureau of Investigation has stepped up its investigation into the Mahadev Online Book betting case, carrying out coordinated searches at 33 premises across six states, including Punjab. The raids, conducted over the past several days, focused on individuals suspected of operating betting panels associated with the illegal online gambling platform. Officials said several active gambling operations were detected and shut down during the exercise.
Investigators reportedly acted on information shared by Sourabh Chandrakar, an alleged key promoter of the platform, following his return to India from Oman through extradition proceedings. The search operation covered several cities, including Amritsar, Delhi, Nagaur, Dholpur, Bhopal, Raipur, Durg, Indore, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai and Nagpur. Teams recovered electronic equipment, mobile phones and documents believed to contain evidence of financial transactions involving mule accounts and suspected hawala channels. The material has been seized for further examination.
Chandrakar was brought to India and arrested by the CBI on November 1. During his questioning, investigators sought details about the platform’s functioning, its panel operators and the wider network allegedly facilitating betting activities across the country. He was also confronted with evidence collected by the agency during its investigation. After the completion of his police remand, he was sent to judicial custody until November 19.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate took over the interrogation of Chandrakar on November 13 after securing approval from a special court in Raipur. The agency arrested him in a separate money laundering investigation and obtained seven days of custody for further questioning. His arrest by the ED marks another significant development in the case, as investigators seek to establish the alleged financial links behind the betting operation and identify others involved in the network.
