The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Saurabh Chandrakar, the alleged kingpin of the Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, in connection with its money laundering investigation. The arrest comes days after Chandrakar was extradited from Oman and brought back to India by a special team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Chandrakar’s arrest by the ED marks a fresh development in the investigation into the alleged illegal betting network, which is suspected of operating through an extensive system of online betting panels and financial transactions.

The ED is separately investigating the alleged money laundering angle in the case, while the CBI has been probing the wider betting syndicate and its alleged operations.

ED action follows proceedings in Raipur

The latest development comes after Chandrakar was produced before a special court in Raipur following the completion of his eight-day CBI custodial remand.

After the expiry of his eight-day custodial remand, the CBI produced Chandrakar before a special court on Thursday, November 12, but did not seek an extension of his custody.

The ED subsequently moved an application before the special PMLA court seeking a production warrant, which was allowed on Thursday, according to the agency’s lawyer.

On Friday, November 13, Chandrakar was produced before Special Judge (PMLA) Amit Rathore. The ED sought the court’s permission to arrest him. After hearing both sides, the court allowed the arrest. Chandrakar was arrested at 3:10 pm, following which the court granted the ED seven days of his custody until November 19.

Chandrakar was extradited from Oman

Before the latest ED action, Chandrakar had been brought back to India from Oman earlier this month.

A special CBI team travelled to Muscat and returned with him following extradition proceedings. 

Following his return, he was produced before a special CBI court in Raipur on November 4. The court granted the CBI eight days of custodial interrogation and permitted the agency to take him to Delhi for questioning.

What is the Mahadev betting app case?

The Mahadev Online Book platform allegedly operated an extensive illegal online betting syndicate through a network of franchised panels and branches across India.

According to the CBI investigation, the platform facilitated betting on cricket, football, card games and other events. Its network allegedly enrolled users and collected betting stakes through different branches.

Investigators have alleged that money generated through these activities was routed through numerous mule bank accounts before being transferred abroad through multiple transactions and hawala channels.

The agencies have also alleged that a portion of the proceeds was used to pay protection money to public servants to allow the betting network to operate without interference.

What happens next?

The ED’s investigation concerns the alleged money laundering connected to the betting syndicate, while the CBI is pursuing its separate criminal investigation.

Chandrakar’s extradition, CBI interrogation and subsequent ED action have brought the two investigations into focus.

The court has granted the ED seven days of Chandrakar’s custody until November 19. The agency is separately investigating the alleged money laundering linked to the Mahadev betting syndicate, while the CBI is pursuing its investigation into the alleged betting network.

At least 26 people are feared dead and several others injured after a truck and a passenger bus collided near Kaziranga in Assam, according to the report.

The accident took place in the Kaziranga area, where the two vehicles collided, leaving the passenger vehicle badly damaged. Several people were injured in the crash.

Rescue and relief operations were launched following the collision. Authorities were working to assess the extent of casualties and provide assistance to those injured.

The death toll was reported as 26 feared dead, meaning the figure was not yet being treated as a final confirmed toll in the initial report.

The accident comes amid reports of a major collision involving a passenger vehicle and a truck on the road near Kaziranga. Further details about the identities of those killed and injured, as well as the circumstances leading to the crash, are expected from the authorities.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday launched the Jawani Sambhal cycle yatra from Chamkaur Sahib as part of the Congress’ wider political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.

The launch, however, was accompanied by renewed questions over unity within the Punjab Congress after former state unit chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring was absent from the event. Congress leaders maintained that the party was united even as political rivals highlighted differences within the state unit.

The eight-day campaign, scheduled from November 12 to 19, is aimed at highlighting issues concerning Punjab’s youth, including unemployment and the drug menace. The yatra is planned to cover nearly 625 km across at least 27 Assembly constituencies.

Senior Congress leaders join Channi’s yatra

Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot flagged off the cycle rally in the presence of several senior party leaders, including newly appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee chief Pargat Singh, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Rana Gurjeet Singh and other leaders.

Channi sought to present the cycle campaign as part of the Congress’ broader programme rather than an individual initiative. The party is using the campaign to raise issues such as drugs, unemployment, gangsterism and law and order ahead of the state elections.

The absence of Raja Warring nevertheless drew attention. His non-participation came amid earlier concerns about coordination between different leaders and factions in the Punjab Congress.

Bhagwant Mann targets Channi’s cycle rally

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann mocked the campaign and questioned its purpose. He suggested that the bicycles being used in the rally should instead be distributed among poor people.

Mann claimed that around 2,000 bicycles were being used and estimated their combined value at nearly Rs. 1 crore, based on his claim that each bicycle cost around Rs. 5,000.

He also attacked Channi over the Enforcement Directorate’s seizure of cash from premises linked to his nephew and alleged that Congress leaders were engaging in political drama despite claiming to represent the poor. These were political allegations made by Mann.

BJP also questions Congress unity

Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar described the Congress campaign as an internal show of strength rather than an initiative focused on Punjab’s problems.

Jakhar contrasted the different outreach programmes being organised by Congress leaders and referred to separate factions within the party. He also criticised the use of bicycles for Channi’s campaign while alleging that other Congress leaders were planning political yatras using luxury vehicles.

The Congress, meanwhile, has continued to project unity. Pilot said the Punjab unit was moving forward together, while other senior leaders also defended the party’s coordination during the yatra launch.

Focus on Punjab youth ahead of 2027 polls

The Jawani Sambhal yatra is part of the Congress’ broader Punjab Mangda Insaaf campaign. The party plans to use the mobilisation to raise issues involving Punjab’s youth and attack the AAP government over drugs, unemployment, gangsterism and other concerns.

The campaign comes as political parties prepare for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, with Congress seeking to challenge the ruling AAP in the state.