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CBI searches 33 locations in Mahadev betting app case

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In short

The Central Bureau of Investigation took over the probe through two FIRs transferred from the Chhattisgarh government. Investigators discovered that the syndicate relies on Indian panel operators who use rented or mule bank accounts to collect betting funds and move profits to an overseas head office. Seized electronic devices and documents have already validated the extensive use of these laundering channels. The agency is now actively pursuing the extradition of additional absconding suspects tied to the operation.

Key points

  • The Mahadev betting platform is operated from an overseas headquarters and relies on hawa…: The Mahadev betting platform is operated from an overseas headquarters and relies on hawala channels to transfer profits abroad.
  • Federal investigators are actively pursuing the extradition of other absconding suspects…: Federal investigators are actively pursuing the extradition of other absconding suspects while probing local facilitators and public servants.
  • The agency issued a public warning that lending bank accounts, SIM cards, or identity doc…: The agency issued a public warning that lending bank accounts, SIM cards, or identity documents for gambling operations constitutes a prosecutable crime.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The searches were carried out following disclosures made by Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the principal promoters of the platform, after his extradition from Oman, the CBI said in a statement on Saturday.

The agency said the seized documents and devices revealed the use of mule bank accounts and hawala networks to facilitate the betting operations and transfer proceeds.

Chandrakar was extradited from Oman and arrested by the CBI on November 1. A special court in Raipur had granted the agency eight days of police custody for his interrogation.

During questioning, Chandrakar allegedly revealed details of the platform's operations and its network of panel operators in India. He was also confronted with documentary and digital evidence collected during the investigation.

The CBI said it had registered two FIRs in the Mahadev Online Book case after the investigations were transferred from the Chhattisgarh government.

The investigation so far has revealed that the platform is operated from abroad through a head office, while its activities in India are handled by a large network of panel operators.

These operators allegedly manage customer IDs, collect…

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