The Enforcement Directorate has taken custody of Saurabh Chandrakar, the alleged mastermind behind the Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev online betting app scam, after his extradition from Oman. The ED arrested him and produced him before a special PMLA court in Raipur. The court granted custody until November 19. The case links alleged illegal online betting to money laundering, including routing proceeds through mule bank accounts and layering transactions before money was allegedly transferred abroad via hawala channels. The ED also alleges that part of the proceeds was used to pay “protection money” to public servants. The Mahadev “online book” was described as one of the country’s largest illegal betting syndicates, operating from outside India through a network of branches. Investigators say the platform allegedly facilitated betting on cricket, football, card games and other events. The ED is separately investigating money laundering connected to the Mahadev app, with the case first coming to light during the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh. Earlier, the ED claimed its probe identified the alleged involvement of high-ranking politicians and bureaucrats from the state. After the BJP came to power, the state’s Economic Offences Wing registered an FIR in March 2024 based on an ED report, naming multiple accused including Chandrakar. Chandrakar remains in ED custody following the PMLA court’s order, with the money laundering investigation continuing.