Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Nov 4: Ravi Uppal, one of the two main promoters of the Mahadev online betting app, has been temporarily detained in Dubai following a request from Indian authorities, with the government initiating extradition proceedings to bring him back to the country.
Indian investigating agencies want to question Uppal in connection with alleged illegal betting operations, money laundering and suspected payments of bribes and protection money linked to the app. He is wanted in an alleged Rs 6,000-crore money laundering case and has an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued against him.
Uppal's detention comes days after the app's other co-promoter, Sourabh Chandrakar, was brought to India from Oman by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Authorities are now seeking Uppal's return through the legal process so that both promoters can be questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
This is not the first time Uppal has been detained in Dubai. In October 2023, Dubai Police arrested him on the basis of an Interpol Red Corner Notice. He was subsequently granted bail. He reportedly left Dubai for Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, where he also obtained citizenship.
Uppal later sought the removal of the Red Corner Notice against him. However, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed his plea in January.
In November 2025, the ED received information that Uppal was missing in the United Arab Emirates and could not be traced. The agency subsequently informed Interpol that he was a wanted accused in the alleged money laundering case involving approximately Rs 6,000 crore.
The Supreme Court had also directed the ED to locate Uppal. His latest detention in Dubai has provided Indian authorities an opportunity to pursue his return through extradition proceedings.
The case centres on allegations of illegal betting through the Mahadev app and the suspected laundering of proceeds generated by the operations. Investigators are now seeking to question both promoters as the probe continues.