The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Abhishek Kumar, a key accused in the Mahadev online betting and gambling case, after he was deported from the UAE. He was taken into custody after arriving at Hyderabad airport from Dubai.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has claimed that the network generated and laundered proceeds of crime worth more than ₹94,000 crore. Kumar was reportedly close to the main accused, Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni, who continue to operate the gambling network from the UAE and other jurisdictions.
According to a CBI spokesperson, Kumar coordinated multiple panels of the Mahadev network. He was also responsible for collecting funds and acquiring immovable assets in Dubai using alleged proceeds of crime.
Kumar was taken to Raipur and produced before a special court for police remand. So far, 7 Red Corner Notices and 2 extradition requests remain pending against other accused.
The ED has said the Mahadev app remains active and has generated around ₹75,000–₹80,000 crore in proceeds of crime over the last 7 years. It estimated that the wider network generated more than ₹11,000 crore annually through illegal online betting and gambling.
Based on seized digital evidence and statements from accused persons, the ED said, “it can be estimated that proceeds of crime worth Rs 11,400 crore (approx) must have been generated by illegal operations of Mahadev online book every year”.
The agency also said other apps linked to the syndicate, including Skyexchange.com and Lotus365.com, generated more than ₹14,000 crore in proceeds of crime. More than ₹1,000 crore was allegedly invested in Indian share markets through foreign portfolio investments.
The ED said, “As per latest findings, Mahadev app is still running a huge number of panels. Estimated proceeds of crime generated by the app is around Rs 75,000-80,000 crore during the last seven years.”
The agency stated that “A majority of the proceeds of crime was layered and transferred to the promoters based in Dubai”. It has so far attached assets worth more than ₹2,000 crore linked to various accused.
The ED clarified that its estimate of the proceeds of crime is provisional and could increase.
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