Mahadev scam accused’s extradition will expose who took protection money: Chhattisgarh CM

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Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. File | Photo Credit: PTI

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday (November 2, 2026) said the questioning of Mahadev betting app kingpin Sourabh Chandrakar would reveal who took “protection money” from the syndicate.

While the CM did not name anyone, he seems to be referring to allegations that the betting scam initially surfaced during the tenure of the previous Congress government in the State. 

“The CBI had been making continuous efforts to bring Sourabh Chandrakar, the main accused in the Mahadev betting app case, back to India from abroad so that information related to the case could be obtained from him. His questioning will reveal who all were receiving protection money,” Mr. Sai told journalists.

Earlier on Sunday (November 1), the CBI said that, in coordination with other agencies, it had secured Mr. Chandrakar’s extradition from Oman. On Monday, he was produced before a court in Delhi which granted the CBI two days’ transit remand of the accused. The order permitted the CBI to produce Mr. Chandrakar before the court of the Special Judge of CBI cases at Raipur on or before November 4.   

After the BJP assumed power in Chhattisgarh, the State’s Economic Offences (EOW) wing registered an FIR in March 2024, naming former CM Bhupesh Baghel, and alleged promoters of the Mahadev app including Mr. Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal, and Shubham Soni as accused. In August 2024, the State government handed over 70 cases related to the alleged betting app scam registered at various police stations, along with one EOW case, to the CBI.

Mr. Baghel has called the case politically motivated. 

Mr. Chandrakar, an alleged kingpin of the network, was traced to Oman earlier this year. Acting on a Red Corner Notice issued against him, the Royal Oman Police located and detained Mr. Chandrakar, following which the CBI and ED sent formal extradition requests to Oman, along with evidence gathered against him, it said. 

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