CBI arrests Mahadev betting scam accused Abhishek Kumar on arrival from Dubai

The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested Abhishek Kumar, described as one of the principal figures in the alleged ₹6,000 crore Mahadev online betting app scam, shortly after he landed at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad on Thursday.

According to the agency, Kumar's flight arrived from Dubai, and he was taken into custody immediately on arrival. He is accused of running online betting and gambling operations under the Mahadev Book banner, coordinating its panels, collecting funds and acquiring immovable assets in Dubai using proceeds from the racket.

Material seized, custody obtained

A CBI official said incriminating material was recovered from Kumar during a search carried out right after his arrest. The seized material, the official added, prima facie indicates his active involvement in running the betting app.

Kumar was produced before a local court in Hyderabad, which granted three days' transit remand. He was subsequently taken to Raipur and produced before a court there, which remanded him to two days of police custody.

The agency has so far filed eight chargesheets in the Mahadev case, naming 100 accused. Those charged include the app's main promoters as well as panel operators, hawala operators and public servants of the Chhattisgarh government.

Kumar is alleged to have worked closely with Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni, two other key accused in the case. Chandrakar was last traced to Oman in July, and the agency has said efforts are on to bring both men back to India to face trial.

Seven Red Corner Notices have been issued and two extradition proposals sent in connection with the scam, with extradition proceedings against two accused currently under way.