CBI Files 11 Fresh Chargesheets, Names Over 70 Accused In Mahadev App Case

The CBI has filed 11 fresh chargesheets in the Mahadev App illegal betting case, naming more than 70 accused in total and marking a major escalation in the probe into what investigators call one of India's largest illegal online betting syndicates. The filings widen the case into the network's finances, overseas operations and alleged protection payments to public servants.

In one set of proceedings, the CBI filed six chargesheets against six accused, identified as Ashim Das, Rohit Gulati, Vikas Chhaparia, Anil Dhammani, Vishal Ahuja and Dheeraj Ahuja, under the Prevention of Corruption Act , along with charges of cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy under the IPC . The agency also placed fresh evidence on record against the alleged kingpins, Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal , who were chargesheeted earlier.

In a parallel case, the CBI filed five more chargesheets naming 66 individuals, including Chandrakar and Uppal, along with members of the betting syndicate's operational panels through whom the alleged proceeds of crime were routed. Investigators say the syndicate ran illegal betting panels across the country, enrolling users through aggressive social media promotion and generating massive illegal profits that were laundered through a web of mule bank accounts before being moved abroad.

The CBI said part of the proceeds was allegedly paid as protection money to certain public servants, and that the investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of political and bureaucratic patronage the network may have enjoyed. Chandrakar and Uppal, along with two other main accused, have already been slapped with Red Corner Notices, and proceedings to declare them Fugitive Economic Offenders have been initiated after they fled to West Asian countries.

The development comes as Indian agencies continue efforts to secure Chandrakar's extradition following his earlier detention in Oman on the basis of the Interpol notice. The CBI said further chargesheets are likely as the probe into the syndicate's full network progresses.