Indian authorities seek extradition or deportation of Mahadev app founder held in Oman
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Saurabh Chandrakar, the creator of the Mahadev betting platform, was detained by Royal Oman Police several weeks ago. Indian officials are now working with Omani authorities to secure his return through legal channels.
Amalgamated from NDTV (opens in new tab), Times of India (opens in new tab), News18 (opens in new tab)
Saurabh Chandrakar, who is identified as the founder of the Mahadev betting application, has been taken into custody by Royal Oman Police. According to reporting from NDTV, the detention occurred several weeks ago.
Indian authorities are currently seeking his return to India through both deportation and extradition procedures. News18 reports that Indian officials have expressed confidence that cooperation between the two nations will facilitate these legal processes.
The Times of India notes that Chandrakar was previously detained in Dubai before he was moved to Oman. The current legal actions initiated by the Indian government are intended to bring him back to face investigation into his role and the operations associated with the betting platform.
Why this matters
The case highlights ongoing efforts to address unlicensed betting platforms operating across international borders. It also underscores the use of bilateral cooperation between India and Gulf nations to address financial crimes related to online gambling.
What's confirmed / what isn't
All three news outlets confirm that Saurabh Chandrakar was detained in Oman and that India is seeking his return through extradition or deportation. The Times of India specifically reports that he was previously held in Dubai before being moved to Oman.
Background
The Mahadev app is a betting platform that has been subject to investigation by Indian authorities regarding its legal status and operation in the region.