New Delhi, 24 September 2026: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested wanted accused Abhishek Kumar, one of the key informants of the Mahadev online betting app scam. He was arrested immediately after arriving from Dubai at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The investigation conducted so far has revealed the active role of Abhishek Kumar in running online betting and gambling operations under Mahadev Book, coordinating panels, collecting funds and acquiring immovable property in Dubai from the illegal earnings of betting and gambling.
During the search conducted immediately after his arrest, incriminating material was found in his possession and was confiscated. The seized material prima facie shows Mahadev's active role in running the betting app and that he worked closely with other key accused like Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni. Immediately after the arrest, the accused was produced before the local court in Hyderabad and received three-day transit remand. Subsequently, he was taken to Raipur court and produced and taken on police custody remand for 02 days.
It is noteworthy that Chhattisgarh government had handed over 13 FIRs registered in various police stations of Chhattisgarh related to Mahadev Betting App to CBI, which was conducted by CBI. So far, CBI has filed 08 charge sheets against 100 accused including the main promoters of Mahadev Betting App, panel operators, hawala operators and public servants of Chhattisgarh government in this case. Further investigation is underway to trace other absconding accused.
Efforts are being made to bring the main promoters of Mahadev Betting App back to India to face the case. So far, 07 Red Corner Notices and 02 extradition proposals have been sent and extradition proceedings are underway against 02 accused. CBI is committed to bringing to justice all those involved in these illegal betting operations and identifying and tracing the proceeds of crime generated by them.