Key Highlights
- Ravi Uppal, key accused in the Rs 6,000 crore Mahadev betting case, has reportedly fled the UAE for an undisclosed location
- ED’s extradition efforts face major setback as Dubai authorities suspend deportation proceedings after nearly two years
- Uppal holds Vanuatu citizenship, a jurisdiction without extradition treaty with India, complicating international legal proceedings
Opening Overview
The Enforcement Directorate’s pursuit of Mahadev betting app promoter Ravi Uppal has encountered a significant obstacle as the key accused has reportedly vanished from Dubai custody, prompting authorities to suspend extradition proceedings. Uppal, one of two primary suspects in the massive Rs 6,000 crore illegal betting operation, was arrested by Dubai authorities in December 2023 following an Interpol Red Corner Notice but has now fled to an unknown destination.
HT exclusive: Ravi Uppal, co-founder of Mahadev Online Book App, has fled from the UAE to an unknown location.
— Neeraj Chauhan (@neerajwriting) November 4, 2025
UAE authorities have not disclosed to India “his exit route or destination”.
UAE has also initiated closure of his extradition proceedings. India takes up the matter… pic.twitter.com/iVUyjXu2HR
This development marks a crucial setback in the Mahadev betting app case investigation, which has already resulted in asset attachments worth over Rs 3,000 crore by Indian enforcement agencies. The case against the Mahadev betting app promoters represents one of India’s largest money laundering investigations, involving complex international networks spanning Dubai, Mauritius, and the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.
Timeline of Arrest and Disappearance
The sequence of events surrounding Ravi Uppal’s arrest and subsequent disappearance reveals the challenges facing Indian authorities in pursuing international fugitives in the Mahadev betting app case. Dubai police initially detained Uppal in December 2023 based on an Interpol Red Corner Notice issued at the request of the Enforcement Directorate, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation. The Dubai court approved India’s extradition request in January 2024, with officials signing nearly 800 pages of documentation to facilitate Uppal’s return. However, Uppal was released after 45 days under surveillance while extradition proceedings continued, creating an opportunity for his eventual escape.
- UAE authorities had indicated willingness to cooperate with Indian law enforcement agencies initially
- Extradition documentation was completed through proper diplomatic channels via the Ministry of External Affairs
- Surveillance measures proved insufficient to prevent Uppal’s departure from the UAE
Current intelligence suggests that Uppal left the United Arab Emirates without providing authorities with information about his destination, effectively suspending the Mahadev betting app case extradition process. Sources indicate that Dubai authorities unofficially cited delayed documentation as grounds for declining the extradition request, though ED officials maintain all required paperwork was submitted within specified timeframes. The disappearance of the Mahadev betting app promoter represents a major intelligence failure and highlights the complexities of international fugitive recovery operations.
Vanuatu Connection and Passport Strategy
Ravi Uppal’s strategic acquisition of Vanuatu citizenship appears central to his escape plan, as the Pacific island nation lacks an extradition treaty with India. The Mahadev betting app promoter, along with co-accused Sourabh Chandrakar, reportedly purchased properties in Vanuatu with intentions of expanding their criminal network to this jurisdiction. Vanuatu’s citizenship-by-investment program has previously attracted international fugitives, including IPL founder Lalit Modi, whose passport was cancelled in March 2025 after authorities determined he was attempting to evade extradition. The absence of bilateral extradition arrangements between India and Vanuatu creates a legal sanctuary for individuals seeking to avoid prosecution.
- India maintains extradition treaties with 48 countries globally, but Vanuatu is not among them
- The Pacific island nation’s citizenship program allows significant financial investment in exchange for passports
- Previous cases like Lalit Modi demonstrate Vanuatu’s willingness to revoke citizenship when misused for evasion
Investigation sources suggest that Uppal and Chandrakar’s Vanuatu strategy was planned well in advance of their Dubai arrests, indicating sophisticated legal and financial planning. The Mahadev betting app case has exposed how international criminal networks exploit jurisdictional gaps to evade prosecution, particularly in cybercrime and financial fraud cases. Vanuatu’s geographic isolation, located nearly 2,000 kilometers from Australia, provides additional physical barriers to international law enforcement cooperation.
Scale of Mahadev Betting Operations and ED Actions
The Mahadev betting app case represents one of India’s largest financial crime investigations, with the illegal network generating an estimated Rs 200 crore in daily profits through 3,200 betting panels nationwide. According to official ED documentation, daily betting volumes frequently exceeded Rs 240 crore, supported by operations spanning Dubai, Malaysia, Thailand, and multiple Indian cities. The enforcement agency has conducted over 170 raids across the country, resulting in cash seizures of Rs 19.36 crore and frozen assets totaling Rs 3,002.47 crore. ED investigations revealed that betting proceeds were systematically laundered through foreign portfolio investors based in Mauritius and Dubai, artificially inflating Indian stock market prices.
- The network employed approximately 3,500 people across international operations
- Twenty villas in Dubai were rented to accommodate the criminal organization’s workforce
- Stock market manipulation schemes involved multiple small and medium enterprises listed on Indian exchanges
The Enforcement Directorate’s official press releases indicate that Mahadev betting app operations functioned as an “umbrella syndicate,” facilitating user enrollment and money laundering through complex benami bank account networks. Four prosecution complaints have been filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with eleven individuals arrested in connection with the case. The investigation has uncovered links between the Mahadev betting app promoters and various shell companies used to manipulate securities prices and defraud retail investors.
Political Ramifications and Ongoing Investigation
The Mahadev betting app case has significant political implications, with former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel accused of receiving Rs 508 crore in kickbacks from the illegal network. Central Bureau of Investigation charge sheets name Baghel among alleged beneficiaries of the betting syndicate, though he has denied involvement in the matter. The case emerged during the 2023 Chhattisgarh assembly elections, potentially influencing electoral outcomes and highlighting the intersection of organized crime and political corruption. Enforcement Directorate investigations continue to pursue Sourabh Chandrakar, who remains under house arrest in Dubai following his October 2024 detention.
- CBI and ED are conducting joint investigations into political connections
- Multiple state police forces have registered related FIRs in the case
- Fugitive economic offender proceedings are pending against both Uppal and Chandrakar
The disappearance of Ravi Uppal complicates ongoing efforts to recover criminal proceeds and dismantle the international betting network associated with the Mahadev betting app case. Sources indicate that Indian diplomatic channels are working to locate Uppal and explore alternative legal mechanisms for securing his custody. Meanwhile, the investigation continues to uncover additional financial irregularities and expand the scope of criminal charges against network participants.
Final Assessment
The vanishing of Mahadev betting app promoter Ravi Uppal from Dubai custody represents a significant challenge to India’s international law enforcement capabilities and highlights systemic weaknesses in extradition processes. His strategic use of Vanuatu citizenship to evade prosecution demonstrates how sophisticated criminal networks exploit jurisdictional gaps in international legal frameworks. The Enforcement Directorate’s extensive investigation, despite securing over Rs 3,000 crore in asset attachments, faces the fundamental challenge of bringing key perpetrators to justice.
The Mahadev betting app case continues to evolve, with authorities pursuing multiple avenues to locate Uppal and strengthen international cooperation mechanisms for future cases. This development underscores the urgent need for enhanced bilateral extradition agreements and improved coordination between international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational financial crimes.
