India's Enforcement Directorate arrested four people in August 2023 in its money laundering investigation into the Mahadev online betting app, according to The Indian Express. The four were businessmen brothers Sunil and Anil Dammani, assistant sub-inspector Chandra Bhushan Verma, and Satish Chandrakar1.
The arrests are part of a wider probe. The ED has carried out searches at 39 locations across Raipur, Bhopal, Mumbai and Kolkata and seized illegal assets worth Rs 417 crore1. Two main promoters, Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who hail from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, are still wanted in connection with the money laundering probe1.
The agency has also summoned actors Ranbir Kapoor, Huma Qureshi and Hina Khan, and comedian Kapil Sharma for questioning, seeking to inquire into payments they received for promoting the app. The actors have written to the agency asking for more time to appear1.
According to the ED, Mahadev Online Book provides platforms for illegal betting in live games such as poker and other card games, chance games, cricket, badminton, tennis, football and others, even providing an avenue to bet on different elections in India. It also offers card games such as teen patti, poker and dragon tiger, and virtual cricket games1.
The case has since widened. Mrugank Mishra, described as a key accused who allegedly helped the promoters open over 1,600 dubious bank accounts to divert money, was arrested at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International airport on his arrival from Dubai on Sunday, and handed over to Rajasthan police. A Look out Circular had been opened by Rajasthan's Pratapgarh police station in connection with a criminal case registered against the app there1.
"The agency in August arrested businessmen brothers Sunil and Anil Dammani, assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Chandra Bhushan Verma, and Satish Chandrakar in the case."
What it means for players
The app at the center of the case, Mahadev Online Book, is described by the ED as offering illegal betting in India, including on live sports, card games and elections1. The investigation concerns money laundering, not the fairness of individual bets, and no finding against any player has been reported.
For people in India who used or are considering such apps, the case illustrates that the platforms named in enforcement action can be the subject of asset seizures and account tracing. The ED says it seized assets worth Rs 417 crore and that one accused allegedly helped open over 1,600 bank accounts to divert money1. General guidance on identifying and reporting suspect operators is set out in our guide to gambling scams and safety in Asia, and the legal position in the country is covered in can I gamble in India.
What happens next
The ED's money laundering probe continues. Sourabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal remain wanted1. The summoned actors have asked for more time to appear and had not appeared as of the report1. No trial dates or further hearing dates have been reported.
