CBI arrests Mahadev betting app co-kingpin Abhishek Kumar after Dubai deportation
The Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Abhishek Kumar, a key accused in the Mahadev internet betting application scam, on September 24 after his deportation from Dubai. Kumar was apprehended at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and produced before courts in Hyderabad and Raipur. CBI stated that incriminating evidence was recovered and that Kumar played an active role in coordinating betting panels, collecting funds, and acquiring assets abroad using proceeds from illegal operations.
The scam, which unfolded during the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government, has generated ₹94,000 crore in criminal proceeds. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was named as an accused and beneficiary, while associates have been arrested. Kumar was a close aide of key accused Sourabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni, both evading authorities. Chandrakar's extradition is being pursued in Oman, while co-mastermind Ravi Uppal fled to Vanuatu.
The CBI took over 13 FIRs transferred by the Chhattisgarh government and has filed eight chargesheets against 100 accused persons, including the app's promoters and operators.
