Indian authorities are working to bring back alleged Mahadev betting app founder Sourabh Chandrakar after he was detained in Oman, according to officials. Chandrakar, one of the key accused in the alleged online betting syndicate, has been held by the Royal Oman Police following an Interpol Red Notice issued at the request of Indian investigating agencies.

Officials said India is pursuing both extradition and deportation options to secure Chandrakar’s return, citing the seriousness of the charges against him.

Chandrakar detained following Interpol Red Notice

According to officials, Chandrakar, a native of Chhattisgarh in his 30s, was detained in Oman a few weeks ago based on an Interpol Red Notice issued by agencies including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Chhattisgarh Police.

Investigators tracking the case have also received informal inputs suggesting that Chandrakar was allegedly travelling using a passport issued by a Southeast Asian country.

Before his detention in Oman, Indian agencies had reported that Chandrakar was in Dubai. Authorities had earlier claimed that he was detained there in 2024 before being released. Officials have also stated that his alleged associate and Mahadev app co-founder Ravi Uppal later moved from Dubai to Vanuatu.

ED alleges Rs 6,000 crore betting racket

The Enforcement Directorate has described the Mahadev betting app case as a large-scale international online betting syndicate with alleged proceeds of crime estimated at around Rs 6,000 crore.

The agency has previously alleged that the investigation involves several high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from Chhattisgarh.

According to the ED, the syndicate allegedly operated through multiple online betting platforms and domain names, including Tiger Exchange, Gold365 and Laser247. Investigators claim the operation functioned through a franchise-based network of panels and branches across India, while Chandrakar and Uppal allegedly managed its operations from Dubai.

Assets worth Rs 1,700 crore attached

In March, the ED said it had attached assets worth approximately Rs 1,700 crore linked to Chandrakar and associated entities. A significant portion of these properties is located in Dubai, including assets in the Burj Khalifa.

The agency has so far arrested 13 individuals in connection with the investigation and has named 74 entities as accused across five charge sheets filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur.

The ED has also approached a court seeking to declare Chandrakar, Ravi Uppal and other accused, including Anil Agrawal alias Atul and Shubham Soni, as Fugitive Economic Offenders under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.

India hopeful of Chandrakar’s return

Officials expressed confidence that India would be able to secure Chandrakar’s return from Oman, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Authorities also referred to the Free Trade Agreement between India and Oman, which came into effect on June 1, as a sign of strengthening cooperation. Bilateral trade between the two nations stood at USD 11.2 billion during 2025-26.

Before leaving India for Dubai in 2019, Chandrakar reportedly operated a juice shop named “Juice Factory” with his brother in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal have previously denied any involvement in the alleged betting racket through a statement issued a few years ago.

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) witnessed another spell of monsoon rain early on Thursday, bringing relief from the recent humid weather while causing waterlogging in several parts of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Delhi, warning of heavy rainfall through most of the day. The weather department has also predicted continued monsoon activity across several northern states over the coming days.

Waterlogging reported in several parts of Delhi

Continuous rainfall led to waterlogging at multiple locations across the capital, affecting traffic movement in some areas.

Among the locations where water accumulation was reported were the New Delhi Railway Station, Munirka, and several other parts of the city as rain continued through the morning.

Despite the disruptions, the showers brought welcome relief to residents after days of hot and humid conditions.

Amit Shah reviews rain situation with affected states

Amid heavy rainfall in different parts of the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with the chief ministers of Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Jammu and Kashmir to review the situation.

According to officials, the Home Minister assured the states of all possible assistance from the Centre following recent weather-related incidents, including a debris collapse in Kerala’s Wayanad, flash floods in Jammu’s Doda district, and deadly rain-related incidents and disruptions reported in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

IMD forecasts continued rainfall across North India

The IMD has forecast fairly widespread to widespread rainfall over Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Uttar Pradesh until July 10.

The weather agency also expects a fresh spell of rainfall to continue over Northeast Uttar Pradesh until July 13, while East Rajasthan is likely to experience similar monsoon activity on July 9.

A widespread monsoon spell had already covered large parts of North India on Wednesday, providing relief from the prevailing heat and improving weather conditions across the region.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s protest march in Kolkata on Wednesday witnessed dramatic scenes after she slapped a member of her own party while attempting to disperse a crowd gathered outside her residence following the rally.

The protest march was organised against the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur. The rally was held after the Calcutta High Court allowed it, despite the Kolkata Police initially denying permission.

Rally witnesses repeated clashes

According to reports, the procession faced repeated disruptions as Trinamool Congress and BJP workers allegedly engaged in pushing and shoving along the rally route. Security personnel intervened to control the situation and reportedly carried out a baton charge to disperse the crowd.

BJP supporters also allegedly attempted to stop the march by forming a human chain and raised slogans of “chor, chor” (thief) during the protest. Some Trinamool workers were also reportedly targeted with eggs during the rally.

Slap incident caught attention

The most talked-about moment came after the rally concluded near Mamata Banerjee’s residence.

A large crowd had gathered outside the house, prompting the Chief Minister to step forward to clear the area. During the commotion, she slapped a party worker and pushed away several others while trying to restore order. Videos of the incident quickly circulated on social media.

Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of planned disruption

Following the rally, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of deliberately attempting to disrupt the protest despite the court granting permission for the event.

She alleged that women workers from her party were assaulted and several supporters suffered injuries during the clashes. Banerjee also claimed that BJP supporters organised a motorcycle rally near her residence, played loud music throughout the protest route and snatched microphones that had been permitted for use during the march.

The Chief Minister further alleged that the Kolkata Police remained passive during the disturbances and accused them of behaving like BJP workers.

BJP rejects allegations

The BJP dismissed Mamata Banerjee’s accusations.

State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the party had not prevented Banerjee from holding the march. However, he criticised the Trinamool Congress, alleging that it had failed to change West Bengal’s political culture despite being in power for years.

Court had modified rally route

The Kolkata Police had initially refused permission for the protest march. However, the Calcutta High Court later permitted the rally while modifying its proposed route to minimise inconvenience to the public.

The protest was organised in response to the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur. The main accused, Prabhas Mondal, was later killed in a police encounter, while four people have been arrested in connection with the case.