The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Abhishek Kumar, a wanted kingpin in the Mahadev online betting app scam, on 24 September 2026 at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad — moments after he landed from Dubai. Kumar is among the most sought-after accused in one of India's largest illegal online gambling networks, which has drawn investigations spanning multiple states and international jurisdictions.

How the Arrest Unfolded

According to the CBI, Kumar was taken into custody immediately upon his arrival from Dubai. Officials conducted a search following the arrest and seized incriminating material from his possession. The agency said the seized documents and items prima facie confirm his active role in operating the Mahadev Book platform.

Kumar was produced before a local court in Hyderabad immediately after his arrest, where the CBI obtained a three-day transit remand. He was subsequently transported to Raipur and produced before a court there, which granted a further two-day police custody remand.

Kumar's Role in the Mahadev Network

Investigations revealed that Kumar played a central role in running online betting and gambling operations under the Mahadev Book umbrella. According to the CBI, he was responsible for coordinating panels, collecting funds, and acquiring immovable assets in Dubai from the proceeds of the illegal gambling enterprise. Officials said he worked in close coordination with the app's other main accused — Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni — both of whom remain at large.

Scale of the Investigation

The Government of Chhattisgarh transferred 13 FIRs registered across multiple police stations in the state to the CBI. The agency has since filed eight chargesheets against 100 accused persons, including the app's main promoters, panel operators, hawala operators, and public servants from the Chhattisgarh government. This makes the Mahadev betting app case one of the largest online gambling prosecutions in Indian legal history.

Notably, the network's alleged reach extended to political circles in Chhattisgarh, adding a layer of complexity to a case already involving cross-border money flows and offshore asset acquisition.

International Efforts to Extradite Key Accused

The CBI has issued seven Red Corner Notices and sent two extradition proposals to bring the app's main promoters back to India to face trial. Extradition proceedings against two accused are currently underway. The agency said it continues to trace other absconding accused and is working to identify and recover the proceeds of crime generated through the platform.

With Kumar's arrest, the CBI has signalled that its pursuit of the Mahadev network's hierarchy is intensifying — and that those who sought refuge abroad are no longer beyond its reach.