Representative Image, courtesy: India CSR
In a significant development, authorities in Dubai have reportedly detained Sourabh Chandrakar, a key figure in the Mahadev betting scam case, on December 27. Chandrakar is said to be placed under house arrest, while another prime accused, Ravi Uppal, has been incarcerated. Diplomatic channels are actively engaged to facilitate the deportation of the accused, with sources suggesting that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been apprised of Chandrakar’s location in Dubai.
The Enforcement Directorate is anticipated to file a new charge sheet in connection with the Mahadev betting scam case. Additionally, a supplementary charge sheet is expected against two individuals arrested in November from Chhattisgarh, namely Asim Das, accused of cash couriering, and Bheem Yadav, a police constable.
In its initial charge sheet, the ED had named Chandrakar, Uppal, and others, citing the statement of Dilip Chandrakar, Sourabh Chandrakar’s uncle. According to the statement, before relocating to Dubai in 2019, Sourabh ran a juice shop called ‘Juice Factory’ in Bhillai town, Chhattisgarh.
The charge sheet reveals that Sourabh orchestrated an extravagant wedding at Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, in February 2023, spending a staggering Rs 200 crore in cash. Private jets were hired to transport relatives from India, and celebrities were reportedly paid for performances.
Ravi Uppal was detained in Dubai about a week ago based on a red notice issued by Interpol at the request of the ED. Another key suspect, Deepak Nepali, was arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district. Nepali, directly involved in procuring fake IDs for the betting racket, had been on the run for a year.
The arrest of Nepali was executed by the Durg Crime Branch and Vaishali Nagar Police, capturing him in the act of attempting to jump off a terrace. Nepali faces at least 13 criminal cases, including charges of loot, abduction, illegal betting, and various petty crimes.
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