ED Seizes Over ₹573 Crore in Mahadev Betting App Crackdown

• Apr 25, 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the Mahadev Online Book betting syndicate, seizing and freezing assets worth over ₹573 crore in connection with a large-scale money laundering operation. The probe has revealed an intricate network of hawala transactions used to move illicit betting proceeds across international borders.

The main accused, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, are believed to be running the illegal betting operations from Dubai. The duo allegedly used multiple offshore accounts, shell companies, and cryptocurrency transactions to launder money. The ED has also uncovered evidence linking the syndicate to other betting platforms like ‘Reddy Anna’ and ‘Fairplay,’ further exposing the vast scale of this illegal network.

One of the key revelations in the case was the extravagant spending of the accused, particularly Chandrakar’s ₹200 crore wedding in the UAE, which was funded through hawala channels. The ED has filed multiple chargesheets, arrested several individuals, and frozen investments in foreign entities, including stock market holdings worth ₹580 crore.

The crackdown on Mahadev Online Book is one of the biggest actions against illegal online betting in India, shedding light on the growing concerns over digital gambling platforms and their impact on financial security. The investigation is ongoing, with more arrests and asset seizures expected as authorities dig deeper into the syndicate’s operations.