New Delhi: Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev Online Book App, who, along with Sourabh Chandrakar, built a colossal illegal betting empire reportedly worth thousands of crores, has now fled the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to an undisclosed location. Highly placed officials informed HT that Uppal, who was arrested in Dubai in December 2023 based on an Interpol red notice, is currently untraceable.
According to officials, UAE authorities have not shared Uppal’s exit route or destination with India. More concerningly, they have initiated the process to close his extradition proceedings. This development is a major blow to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Chhattisgarh police, all of whom were anticipating Uppal’s extradition from Dubai, given the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations.
“We have been informed through formal channels that Ravi Uppal has left the UAE to an unknown location. Dubai has not provided any information on his exit route or destination, even though the red notice against him remains active,” stated a senior government officer, requesting anonymity. The same officer also revealed that “the UAE has also proposed closing the extradition proceedings against Ravi Uppal”.
Uppal, believed to be in his late 40s, and his partner Chandrakar established the Mahadev online betting app syndicate in 2018. The syndicate is accused of running widespread illegal betting operations across India, despite government bans on numerous associated platforms and apps. These operations reportedly allow users to place bets on various games, including poker, card games, cricket, badminton, tennis, football matches, and even election outcomes.
The ED has previously alleged in court filings that the betting empire operated approximately 3,200 betting panels in different cities, generating an estimated ₹240 crore daily. Uppal and Chandrakar reportedly leased 20 villas in Dubai to house their 3,500 employees. The investigation has also implicated former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Uppal was initially arrested in Dubai in December 2023 following an Interpol notice issued in October of that year. The ED submitted an extradition request to the UAE on January 16, 2024. Despite being released by UAE authorities within 45 days, he remained under surveillance due to the ongoing extradition process.
Meanwhile, Chandrakar was arrested in Dubai in October 2024 and was reportedly held under house arrest. An extradition request for Chandrakar was also sent in October 2024, but progress has been slow. The ED has initiated fugitive economic offender (FEO) proceedings against both Uppal and Chandrakar in October 2024, which are currently pending in a Raipur court.
The probe agency received information in 2024 that both Uppal and Chandrakar had obtained passports from Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific. However, it remains unclear whether Uppal fled to Vanuatu. Chandrakar is reportedly still in the UAE.
Commenting on the situation, a second government official stated, “The UAE chose not to pursue extradition, citing the request not being received in time. This is incorrect. The extradition documents were sent through proper formal channels within the stipulated time. Even if he was released, it doesn’t preclude re-arrest and extradition once the request has been received.”
The official further criticized the UAE’s decision to close the extradition proceedings against Uppal and its lack of transparency regarding his departure, stating it “reflects a lack of cooperation and transparency in financial crimes and is inconsistent with the spirit of mutual legal assistance and India-UAE extradition treaty.” The government has reportedly conveyed its concerns to the Ministry of External Affairs, requesting diplomatic intervention at the highest level to ensure accountability.