Mahadev Betting App Case: CBI Arrests Alleged Kingpin Abhishek Kumar After Arrival From Dubai

On September 24, 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Abhishek Kumar, a key figure in the Mahadev Online Betting App scam, at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport upon his return from Dubai. The CBI's investigation unveiled Kumar's involvement in orchestrating online betting and gambling activities linked to the Mahadev Book platform, as well as his role in fund collection and acquiring assets in Dubai using the illicit earnings.

Upon his arrest, the CBI confiscated incriminating evidence from Kumar's possession, indicating his active participation in the Mahadev Betting App operation, and he collaborated with other primary accused, including Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni. Following his arrest, Kumar was brought before the local court in Hyderabad and subsequently produced before the Raipur court, where he was granted two days of police custody.

The Government of Chhattisgarh had transferred 13 FIRs registered across various police stations in the state related to the Mahadev Betting App to the CBI, which has now initiated eight chargesheets against 100 accused individuals, comprising the main promoters, panel operators, hawala operators, and government officials involved in the case.

The CBI is actively pursuing extradition proceedings against two accused, and seven Red Corner Notices have been submitted to facilitate their return to India for trial.