The Central Bureau of Investigation has lodged 11 new charge sheets against India's largest illegal online betting syndicate and presented fresh evidence against key accused. Red Corner Notices have already been issued for four main suspects, accelerating their designation as fugitive economic offenders.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken a decisive step against the high‑profile Mahadev App gambling racket by filing 11 fresh charge sheets, signalling a major escalation in the probe of a multi‑crore illegal betting network allegedly operated from abroad.
Six Charge Sheets Against Six Primary Accused
In one batch, the agency charged Ashim Das, Rohit Gulati, Vikas Chhaparia, Anil Dhammani, Vishal Ahuja and Dheeraj Ahuja with offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as well as cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The allegations centre on their alleged collusion with public officials to facilitate the betting operations.
Additional Five Charge Sheets Targeting 66 Individuals
A parallel filing includes five charge sheets against 66 persons, among them the alleged kingpins Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. These individuals are accused of running betting panels across several states, acting as conduits for the illicit flow of funds.
Mahadev App: One of India’s Biggest Illegal Betting Operations
The Mahadev App is believed to be among the largest illegal gambling platforms ever uncovered in India. Promoted aggressively on social media by Chandrakar and Uppal, the app built a nationwide network that attracted millions of users. The syndicate generated massive illegal profits, which were laundered through a web of mule bank accounts before being siphoned overseas. A portion of the proceeds was allegedly paid as "protection money" to certain public servants, highlighting deep‑seated corruption.
Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigation
CBI has already secured Red Corner Notices against four main accused and has initiated proceedings to declare them Fugitive Economic Offenders. The agency says investigations continue to map the full extent of the syndicate, including alleged political and bureaucratic patronage. More charge sheets are expected in the coming months as authorities aim to dismantle the remaining network and bring all participants to justice.
This development underscores a growing resolve within Indian law‑enforcement to confront digital financial crimes head‑on, potentially paving the way for stricter regulation of online gambling in the future.
