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.

A developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify over the coming days, with the possibility of becoming a cyclonic storm by Monday evening.

An upper-air cyclonic circulation led to the formation of a low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday. The system is expected to move northwestwards and become a well-marked low-pressure area by Saturday, followed by the formation of a depression by Sunday morning.

It may then move north-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by Monday evening.

The storm is likely to be named Senyar if it reaches the required intensity.

Potential path remains uncertain

Current projections indicate that the weather system could move towards the coastal areas of north Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

However, its exact trajectory and potential landfall location remain uncertain at this stage. The system is still developing, and its future movement will be closely monitored.

Fishermen advised to stay away from sea

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea as conditions are expected to become rough from Sunday.

Those already in deep waters have been urged to return to the coast immediately.

The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) is monitoring the situation and is expected to provide regular real-time updates.

Cyclone follows recent storm

The developing system comes around two weeks after Cyclone Arnab affected parts of India and made landfall as a “very severe” cyclonic storm, according to the provided report.

Five people were killed in separate incidents associated with the cyclone in Andhra Pradesh, including in Vizag, Anakapalle, Kakinada, Konaseema and West Godavari. The report said some deaths were caused by electrocution while others were linked to falling trees.

In Odisha, three members of a family, including a nine-month-old baby, were killed in a landslide in Kandhamal.

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.