The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against kingpins of entire Mahadev Book illegal betting racket, Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal. Notably, the agencies believe the duo could have links to wanted terrorist and fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

Chhattisgarh Police have already issued lookout notices against Chandrakar and Uppal. Both of them are on the loose and operating the illegal betting racket out of the authorities’ jurisdiction.

A few days earlier after the arrest of ASI Chandrabhushan Verma and CM Bhupesh Baghel’s political advisor Vinod Verma, BJP State General Secretary, OP Chaudhary pointed that operating on this scale alone is impossible and alleged that Chandrakar is backed by mafia don Dawood Ibrahim.

As per India Today, Chandrakar and Uppal have made over Rs 6,000 crores so far using Mahadev Book. Notably, Mahadev Book’s operators use fake bank accounts to collectively transact hefty sums of money for their illegal betting racket. All the money is then transferred to Dubai though hawala network.

The rise and fall of Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal

Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal started out as local bookies, running small juice and tyre shops. Chandrakar was arrested multiple times but after gaining fame and more heat from the police moved on to Dubai from where he now operates his illegal betting network with Uppal.

Chhattisgarh Police, last year, started an operation against Mahadev Book betting app and have made numerous arrests till date. Despite that, the operation seemed to have no effect. This was due to involvement of police officials, who took bribes to hinder the investigation process.

ASI Chandrabhushan Verma reportedly took Rs 65 crore bribe and distributed among other officials. ED has sent new summon notices after Verma spilled the beans during the interrogation.

With this newly released LOC against Chandrakar, the ED is now also on trail of the illegal betting app mastermind. Hopefully, the agency will be successful in curbing the illegal betting operations racket.