CBI Raids Mohit Somani in Mahadev Betting Case; ED Gets Remand
The dragnet surrounding India’s multi-crore illegal gambling empire is tightening further as central investigative agencies ramp up simultaneous operations across multiple states. In the ongoing investigation into the sprawling Mahadev online betting app syndicate, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) executed high-profile morning raids on Friday, targeting the residence of key accused Mohit Somani in Raipur’s upscale Samta Colony.
Simultaneously, the legal battle surrounding the app's elusive mastermind, Saurabh Chandrakar, took a major turn in a special court, granting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a crucial seven-day custodial remand to probe deeper into transnational hawala channels, shell companies, and illicit financial networks.
CBI Raids Samta Colony Residence of Mohit Somani
According to central investigating officials, a specialized CBI team arrived at Mohit Somani’s Samta Colony residence in Raipur early Friday morning. The search and interrogation operation lasted approximately two hours, during which investigators thoroughly scrutinized digital devices, banking records, and physical paperwork. Before concluding the search, the team seized several incriminating documents and electronic evidence.
Investigators revealed that Somani was deeply entrenched in the syndicate's operational hierarchy. He allegedly purchased a dedicated online wagering panel for ₹35 lakh and operated an extensive illegal gambling network using the Mahadev 364 panel. Somani's criminal footprint is well-documented: he was previously apprehended in November 2024 by Raipur police in Kolkata’s New Town area and subsequently detained by Raigad police in Goa. He currently remains lodged in a Raigad judicial facility.
In a related development, a second CBI team conducted a sweeping search at the residence of businessman Radheshyam Agarwal in Chhattisgarh’s Mahasamund district. The raid, which extended late into the evening hours, reportedly stemmed from intelligence regarding illicit financial transactions, gold holdings, and counterfeit currency circulation, though formal confirmation from central authorities is awaited.
ED Secures 7-Day Custody of Mastermind Saurabh Chandrakar
While the CBI cracks down on regional panel operators and local associates, the Enforcement Directorate has escalated its financial probe by taking physical custody of Saurabh Chandrakar, one of the primary architects behind the Mahadev betting empire.
Following an intensive legal debate in a special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court in Raipur on Friday, the judiciary granted the ED a seven-day custodial remand. Chandrakar had previously been produced before the special court on Wednesday following the completion of an eight-day CBI remand. Although the ED had initially sought custody during that appearance, procedural requirements necessitated the filing of a formal application before the special PMLA court and the issuance of a production warrant.
With the legal formalities completed, the ED secured the remand late Friday evening. Federal investigators plan to interrogate Chandrakar regarding a complex web of hawala transactions, celebrity endorsements funded by proceeds of crime, overseas asset acquisitions in the United Arab Emirates, and the intricate network of digital panels that funneled black money across international borders.
The Expanding Scope of the Mahadev Betting Syndicate Probe
The Mahadev online book operational network has long been a primary target for Indian law enforcement agencies, including the CBI, ED, and state police forces across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Delhi. Operating primarily from clandestine bases overseas, the syndicate utilized a franchise-model "panel" system to rope in local agents, web developers, and high-net-worth individuals to launder millions in illicit gambling profits.
As the CBI analyzes the documents seized from Mohit Somani's residence and the ED begins its intensive interrogation sessions with Saurabh Chandrakar, investigators expect to uncover further links connecting corporate entities, corrupt officials, and high-profile influencers to India's most notorious digital betting scam.
