After Sourabh Chandrakar, Mahadev Betting App Co-Founder Ravi Uppal Arrested In Dubai | India News

Last Updated:November 04, 2026, 23:04 IST

Indian agencies learnt about Uppal’s arrest through unofficial channels, with the UAE yet to formally communicate the development to India.

Ravi Uppal Arrested In Dubai, Second Major Breakthrough In Mahadev Betting Scam Within A Week

Indian agencies are preparing to seek Ravi Uppal’s extradition after the alleged co-founder of the Mahadev online betting app was arrested in Dubai, officials familiar with the development said on Wednesday. Uppal, who is accused of playing a key role in the multi-crore betting syndicate, is the second alleged mastermind to be detained in recent days. His arrest follows the extradition of business partner Sourabh Chandrakar from Oman by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

No official confirmation from UAE yet

Indian agencies learnt about Uppal’s arrest through unofficial channels, with the UAE yet to formally communicate the development to India. Officials said they were gathering details through diplomatic channels and working to speed up the process of securing his extradition.

Uppal, who hails from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, also operated from Dubai. Interpol issued a red notice against him in October 2023. He was detained by Dubai authorities in December that year but released within 45 days. This was despite the ED sending an extradition request to the UAE in January 2024.

As per reports, Uppal had left the UAE and was believed to be living in Vanuatu. He recently returned to the UAE.

An ED officer, said Uppal and Chandrakar both possess Vanuatu passports, which they obtained after leaving India.

The officer described Uppal as a crucial part of the Mahadev network, saying he was responsible for hawala deliveries worth hundreds of crores of rupees. He also served as the main point of contact for dealing with politicians and bureaucrats in Chhattisgarh.

According to officials, his interrogation will be crucial to establishing the money trail and identifying the beneficiaries of the illegal proceeds.

How the betting syndicate operated

ED court records and internal documents reviewed by HT indicate that Chandrakar was primarily responsible for promoting and running Mahadev Online Book (MOB). Uppal, meanwhile, jointly operated the Dubai head office with him and oversaw the financial network, including hawala transactions and betting operators in Nagpur.

A second ED officer alleged that Uppal’s siblings in India handled his hawala operations in the country.

Apart from Uppal, the ED is also reportedly attempting to secure the custody of another accused, Vikash Chhaparia, who is in Dubai.

The agency has alleged that the Mahadev app operated locally with the “active support and connivance” of police personnel and politicians in Chhattisgarh. It has also claimed that bureaucrats and politically exposed persons received illegal payments in return for ignoring the betting operation.

The ED has estimated that the proceeds linked to MOB and some associated platforms amount to around Rs 94,000 crore. Of this, between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore has already been transferred to the promoters, according to the agency.

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What led to the arrest of Mahadev app co-founder Ravi Uppal in Dubai?

Ravi Uppal, the alleged co-founder of the Mahadev online betting app, was arrested in Dubai by local authorities, prompting Indian agencies to prepare for his extradition. His detention follows the recent extradition of his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, from Oman by the CBI and ED.

How did Ravi Uppal and Sourabh Chandrakar operate the Mahadev betting syndicate?

Chandrakar primarily managed the promotion and running of the Mahadev Online Book, while Uppal jointly operated the Dubai head office and oversaw financial networks, including hawala deliveries and betting operators. Both promoters also held Vanuatu passports obtained after leaving India.

What are the estimated financial proceeds linked to the Mahadev Online Book case?

The Enforcement Directorate has estimated that total proceeds linked to the Mahadev Online Book and associated platforms amount to approximately Rs 94,000 crore. Out of this total amount, between Rs 4,000 crore and Rs 5,000 crore has already been transferred directly to the promoters.

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Shuddhanta PatraSenior Sub-Editor

Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More

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