The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at 33 locations across six states at the premises of the panel operators of the illegal online betting platform Mahadev Online Book App.

 

The searches were carried in the last few days  on the basis of disclosures made by the key accused, Sourabh Chandrakar, who is one of the principal promoters of the platform. The key accused was extradited from Oman and arrested by CBI on 1st November. The CBI said that during the searches, live betting and gambling panels were found running and were dismantled. It said that digital devices, mobile phones and incriminating documents, showing the use of mule accounts and a hawala network, have been recovered and seized.

 

The CBI further said that it registered two FIRs in the Mahadev Online Book case after the investigation was transferred from the Chhattisgarh Government. The investigation has revealed that the platform is operated from abroad through a head office and functions in India through a large network of panel operators.