New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raided 33 locations across six states in connection with the Mahadev Online Book illegal betting case, uncovering live gambling operations and dismantling betting panels allegedly linked to the platform's network.

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The searches were carried out over the past few days at locations in Amritsar, Delhi, Nagaur, Dholpur, Bhopal, Raipur, Durg, Indore, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Mumbai and Nagpur. The premises were linked to panel operators allegedly running the betting platform in India.

The raids followed disclosures made by Sourabh Chandrakar, one of the key accused and principal promoters of Mahadev Online Book, after his extradition from Oman.

During the searches, the CBI found live betting and gambling panels in operation and dismantled them. Investigators also seized digital devices, mobile phones and documents indicating the alleged use of mule bank accounts and hawala channels to transfer betting proceeds.

Chandrakar was extradited from Oman and arrested by the CBI on November 1. A Special Court in Raipur subsequently granted the agency eight days of police custody to interrogate him.

His questioning reportedly revealed details of the platform's operations and its extensive network of panel operators across India. Investigators also confronted him with documentary records and digital evidence gathered during the probe.
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How Mahadev betting network operated

The CBI has registered two FIRs in the Mahadev Online Book case after the Chhattisgarh government transferred the investigation to the central agency.

According to investigators, the platform was operated from abroad through a head office, while a network of panel operators managed its activities in India.

These operators allegedly handled customer IDs, collected betting money through bank accounts opened or hired in other people's names and transferred profits abroad through hawala channels.

The agency is investigating the roles of other accused persons, including those operating from foreign countries, individuals who facilitated the platform's activities and public servants suspected of having links to the case.

After his police custody ended, Chandrakar was produced before the Special Judge (CBI Cases) in Raipur on November 12. The court remanded him to judicial custody until November 19.

The CBI said it was also taking steps to secure the extradition of other accused persons who remain absconding.
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CBI warns public against renting bank accounts, SIM cards

The agency has cautioned the public against participating in online betting and gambling, which it said are illegal.

It also warned that lending or renting bank accounts, SIM cards or identity documents to others for such activities is a criminal offence and could expose the account holders to prosecution.

(With IANS inputs)