New Delhi – The founder and prime accused of the Mahadev betting app syndicate, Saurabh Chandrakar, was taken into custody by the Royal Oman Police earlier this month. Chandrakar, a man in his thirties from Chhattisgarh, was sought after an Interpol Red Notice issued by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) and state police.

Background and Operational Model

The Mahadev app is classified as a large‑scale international betting syndicate that operated through multiple online platforms and domain names such as “Tiger Exchange”, “Gold365” and “Laser247”. The network functioned on a franchise‑style model with ‘panels’ and ‘branches’ run by associates across India, enabling illegal wagers on a massive scale.

Previous Detentions and Cross‑Border Movements

ED records show that Chandrakar was briefly detained in Dubai in 2024 by UAE authorities, only to be released later. His co‑founder, Ravi Uppal, fled from Dubai to Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific. Recent intelligence suggests Chandrakar travelled on a passport issued by a Southeast Asian country, complicating the tracking of his exact whereabouts.

India‑Oman Bilateral Cooperation

India and Oman enjoy a robust bilateral relationship, underscored by a free‑trade agreement that came into force on June 1. Two‑way trade between the nations reached $11.2 billion in FY 2025‑26. Officials expressed confidence that Omani cooperation would lead to Chandrakar’s extradition or deportation, marking a significant step in trans‑national crime enforcement.

Financial Seizures and Economic Impact

In March, the ED announced the attachment of assets worth ₹1,700 crore, primarily located in Dubai, including properties in the Burj Khalifa. These assets represent a fraction of the estimated ₹6,000 crore proceeds alleged to have been generated by the betting racket, highlighting the massive financial flow behind the operation.

Overall, Chandrakar’s detention and the accompanying asset freeze illustrate India’s growing capability to coordinate with foreign law‑enforcement agencies. The case also signals a tougher stance against digital gambling networks that exploit loopholes across jurisdictions.