News Brief
Mahadev Betting App Co-Owner Ravi Uppal Detained In Dubai, Likely To Be Extradited To India Soon
Nayan Dwivedi
Dec 13, 2023, 10:09 AM | Updated 10:05 AM IST
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In a significant development, Ravi Uppal, one of the main owners of the Mahadev online betting app, has been detained by the Dubai Police based on a red notice issued by Interpol at the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Uppal, 43, is currently under investigation for alleged money laundering linked to illegal betting activities, as well as facing scrutiny from Chhattisgarh Police and Mumbai Police.
According to official sources, Uppal was apprehended in Dubai last week, and the ED is actively coordinating with authorities in Dubai to facilitate his deportation to India. There are indications that Uppal may soon be extradited, as reported by Livemint.
The ED had previously filed a money laundering charge sheet against Uppal and fellow promoter Sourabh Chandrakar before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in October.
The red notice issued by Interpol was a subsequent measure based on the ED's request.
The investigation has disclosed that Mahadev Online Book App operates from a central head office in the UAE, running on a franchising model with known associates on a 70-30 profit ratio.
The projected proceeds of crime in this case amount to approximately Rs 6,000 crore, according to the ED.
Additionally, the agency claimed in November that Mahadev betting app promoters had reportedly paid around Rs 508 crore to former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to shed light on the intricate web of financial operations associated with illegal online betting and money laundering activities.
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Nayan Dwivedi is Staff Writer at Swarajya.
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