CBI says Mahadev App 'one of largest illegal betting syndicates in the country'

📌 Summary:

• CBI filed a chargesheet against 6 more accused (Ashim Das, Rohit Gulati, Vikas Chhaparia, Anil Dhammani, Vishal Ahuja, Dheeraj Ahuja) in the Mahadev betting app case, calling it "one of the largest illegal betting syndicates unearthed in the country", run from outside Indian soil

• Additional evidence filed against alleged kingpins Saurabh Chandrakar and Ravi Uppal, who built a nationwide network reaching millions of users through social media platforms

• Tally so far: 5 chargesheets against 66 accused, under the IPC and the Chhattisgarh Gambling Prohibition Act; the new accused face cheating, forgery and criminal-conspiracy charges

• Modus operandi (laundering chain): illegal betting panels across the country enrolled users and ran betting markets → illegal profits laundered through a web of mule accounts → funds transferred abroad; part of the proceeds allegedly paid as protection money to public servants

• Promoters and associates believed to have fled to West Asian countries and continue operating the network from abroad; Red Corner Notices issued against 4 main accused; Fugitive Economic Offender proceedings initiated

• Investigation continuing into the syndicate's full spread and its political and bureaucratic patronage; more chargesheets expected

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Internal Security — money laundering via mule accounts, transnational organised crime, online betting regulation gaps; governance dimension of protection money to public servants.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Red Corner Notice: Interpol notice seeking location/arrest of wanted persons pending extradition
• Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018: allows confiscation of assets of offenders (offences ≥ ₹100 crore) who flee India
• Mahadev case: 5 chargesheets, 66 accused so far

🔑 Key Term: Mule Account — a bank account used by criminals (often held by unwitting or paid third parties) to layer and move illicit funds, obscuring the money trail.