A major breakthrough came to pass on Wednesday in the high-profile Mahadev online betting app case, Saurabh Chandrakar, the alleged founder and mastermind behind the ₹6,000-crore Mahadev online betting syndicate, as he was detained in Oman, sources said. According to sources, Indian authorities are now preparing to send a formal extradition request to Muscat in an effort to bring the fugitive back to India to face legal proceedings.

Officials familiar with the development disclosed the information on Wednesday, describing the detention as a significant step forward in one of India's biggest investigations into illegal online betting and money laundering.

Chandrakar detained on basis of Interpol notice

Officials in the know of the case said Chandrakar was taken into custody by the Royal Oman Police on the basis of an Interpol notice issued at the request of Indian investigative agencies. While authorities are still awaiting formal confirmation through diplomatic and official channels, preliminary inputs suggest that the detention has already taken place.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Chandrakar had last been traced to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before his reported movement to Oman.

Fake passport’s use suspected

Initial information indicates that Chandrakar allegedly travelled to Oman using a forged passport believed to have been obtained from a Southeast Asian country. Investigating agencies are now working to verify the travel documents and establish the route used by the fugitive before his detention.

Authorities have not yet officially disclosed further operational details, as verification through international channels remains underway.

India pushes for extradition

With India and Oman sharing a bilateral extradition treaty, Indian authorities are expected to formally seek Chandrakar's extradition at the earliest. Officials are hopeful that the treaty will facilitate his return after years of efforts to secure his custody.

Chandrakar has reportedly been wanted by Indian agencies since 2019 in connection with investigations linked to the Mahadev online betting network.

Earlier attempts to extradite him from the UAE did not materialise. Although he was briefly detained in Dubai in 2024, he was subsequently released, delaying India's efforts to bring him back.

High-profile betting syndicate under scanner

The Mahadev online betting app case has emerged as one of India's most prominent investigations into alleged illegal betting operations, financial fraud and money laundering. The network is accused of running a vast online gambling syndicate with transactions allegedly amounting to around ₹6,000 crore.