Connect with us
Friday,07-November-2025
Breaking News

Crime

Mahadev Betting App Case: Main Accused Saurabh Chandrakar’s Close Aide Mrigank Mishra Held At Mumbai Airport

Published

on

Mrigank Mishra, one of the directors of the Mahadev app and a close associate of Saurabh Chandrakar, was arrested at Mumbai Airport on Saturday. A lookout notice had been issued against him in connection with the Mahadev betting app case. He had been staying in Dubai for the past two years and was arrested by the Rajasthan police with support from the Mumbai police upon arriving from Dubai. The Rajasthan police was in the picture since a case against him was filed in its jurisdiction.

Connection with Saurabh Chandrakar

According to Rajasthan police, Mishra, originally from Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, lived a lavish lifestyle. He owns a residential property in Octra Crest Apartment, located in Lokhandwala, Kandivali (East). Recently, officials from central agencies conducted a search of the flat and seized several documents. During their investigation, they discovered that very few individuals within the organization were aware of his connection with Saurabh Chandrakar.

Rajasthan Police investigations have further revealed that Mishra managed to open over 1600 accounts for Mahadev app betting transactions. Initially, they identified and froze 90 accounts only,in which 68 had transactions totaling more than 2000 crore rupees. This substantial transaction amount is associated with IPL 2023 edition betting, involving funds received  in these accounts from betting and withdrawals for hawala.

Amit Kumar, SP of Rajasthan, stated, ‘We are examining other accounts to obtain a clear estimate and understand the total amount of betting that was transferred to these accounts.’

Significant role in Mahadev betting app syndicate

According to Rajasthan police, Mishra played a significant role in the Mahadev betting app syndicate. His primary responsibility was to arrange bank accounts and SIM cards for accepting bets and processing transactions. Mishra, with the help of a local syndicate in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and several other states, completed these tasks with minimal investments. He typically targeted individuals from lower-income classes, including vegetable sellers, shopkeepers, and daily wage workers. Gaining their trust by invoking various government schemes, Mishra would assist them in opening multiple accounts and obtaining several SIM cards using these individuals’ documents. These SIM cards and bank account details were provided to the associated panel operators of the Mahadev app.

These panel operators were, in fact, partners or associates of Saurabh Chandrakar, who is involved with the Mahadev betting app. These operators used the acquired SIM cards to accept bets from individuals, and the bank accounts to process the bet amounts and facilitate money transfers through Hawala channels to the UAE. These fake accounts were used to receive betting amounts for various T-20 series, IPL, and other league matches from various countries.

Complex betting, hawala operation using fake bank accounts

In May 2023, a case involving the Mahadev betting app came to light when a nationalized bank reported suspicious transactions across several accounts. The Rajasthan police initiated an investigation, which revealed a complex betting and Hawala operation using fake bank accounts. Among these accounts, 68 had transactions totaling more than 2000 crore rupees, primarily related to IPL betting matches. The police seized these accounts, which contained around 4 crore rupees.

What made this case even more concerning was that the victims were unaware that these bank accounts were opened and operated in their names.

Crime

ED Makes 3rd Arrest In ₹68-Crore ‘Fake Bank Guarantee’ Case Linked To Reliance Power Subsidiary; Kolkata Consultant Amar Nath Dutta Held

Published

on

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kolkata-based consultant Amar Nath Dutta in connection with a money-laundering case involving forged bank guarantees (BGs) worth over Rs 68 crore. The case is linked to Reliance Power Limited’s subsidiary, which allegedly submitted fake BGs and endorsements to the Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), a central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

According to the ED, Dutta was taken into custody on November 6, 2025, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. He was produced before the Additional Sessions Judge-04 at Patiala House Courts, New Delhi, which granted the agency four days of custody till November 10, 2025.

Dutta, who claimed to provide consultancy in trade financing, played a crucial role in orchestrating the fake BG racket along with Ashok Pal and Partha Sarathi Biswal. The probe stems from three FIRs filed in the case, including FIR No. 0079/2025, registered by SECI with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police. SECI reportedly suffered a loss exceeding Rs 100 crore due to the fraudulent bank guarantees submitted by the Reliance Power subsidiary.

Earlier, on October 11, 2025, the ED had arrested Ashok Kumar Pal, then Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Reliance Power Ltd, for his alleged role in the same money-laundering conspiracy. His arrest followed that of his associate Partha Sarthi Biswal, Managing Director of shell company M/s Biswal Tradelink Pvt. Ltd.

The ED’s forensic investigation revealed that forged endorsements purportedly from the State Bank of India (SBI) were generated through a spoofed email domain (mailto:sbi.17313@s-bi.co.in), designed to deceive SECI officials into believing the fake bank guarantees were authentic.

The agency also uncovered a network of spoofed domains mimicking several Indian banks, including ‘lndiabank.in’, ‘lndusindbank.in’, ‘pnblndia.in’, ‘psdbank.co.in’, ‘siliguripnb.co.in’, ‘lobbank.co.in’, and ‘unionbankofIndia.co.in’. These domains, featuring minor alterations or swapped characters, were allegedly used by the same group to conduct fraudulent transactions.

The ED is continuing its investigation to trace the flow of illicit funds, identify the ultimate beneficiaries, and locate assets acquired through the proceeds of crime. The agency is also examining the larger conspiracy and potential involvement of other individuals and entities connected to the scam.

Continue Reading

Crime

Delhi Police solve robbery case within 48 hours, arrest four

Published

on

New Delhi, Nov 7: The Delhi Police on Friday cracked a robbery case within 48 hours, arresting four accused involved in the crime. With their arrest, police have recovered Rs 18,000 in cash and a Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire car used in the offence.

According to a statement issued by the South-West District Police, the staff of Police Post Subroto Park, under the jurisdiction of Police Station Delhi Cantt, apprehended four accused persons identified as Amit alias Kaku (21 years), Pawan (22 years), Manish alias Churri (21 years), and Sonam (19 years).

On November 3, a PCR call was received at the Delhi Cantt police station regarding a robbery committed by occupants of an unidentified car. The complainant informed police that after arriving from the IGI Airport to Dhaula Kuan Bus Stand around 1.30 a.m., he boarded a private Maruti Suzuki Tour car already occupied by three men and a woman.

During the journey, the woman allegedly began abusing and threatening him, while the men forcibly took his belongings, including a mobile phone and debit cards. The accused later withdrew Rs 33,000 from his bank account using the stolen card. They also broke his mobile phone and threw it away before abandoning him at an isolated location.

Following the complaint, a case was registered under FIR No. 283/2025, U/S 309 BNS at Police Station Delhi Cantt, and an investigation was initiated.

Considering the seriousness of the crime, a dedicated police team was formed under the close supervision of Anil Kumar, ACP/Delhi Cantt, and Inspector Shyoram, SHO/Delhi Cantt. The investigation team comprised Sub Inspector Jasbir Malik (IC/PP Subroto Park), PSI Manish Kumar, Head Constable Pawan, HC Rakesh Kumar, HC Bhaskar, and Ct. Ravinder.

The team meticulously analysed CCTV footage from NH-48, Vasant Kunj Road, MR Road, and Mahipalpur Road, which led them to identify a suspicious Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire. Enquiry revealed that the car belonged to one Lokesh Gupta, who had rented it out to Amit alias Kaku.

A swift raid was conducted, resulting in the arrest of Amit alias Kaku and Manish alias Churri. Based on their disclosure, co-accused Pawan and Sonam were also apprehended from their residences.

Amit alias Kaku (21 years), a resident of Vijay Enclave, Palam Dabri, New Delhi, is a 4th-class pass and works as a private cab driver. An orphan with two siblings, he has a history of criminal activity. He has been previously involved in nine criminal cases registered at various police stations, including Vasant Kunj (South and North), Delhi Cantt, Kapashera, and Dwarka South, related to robbery, theft, and violations of the Arms Act. He was also arrested earlier by Gurugram Police in a similar case.

Pawan (22 years), also from Vijay Enclave, Palam Dabri, New Delhi, is a 12th pass and works as a cab driver.

Manish alias Churri (21 years) resides in Mahavir Enclave, New Delhi. He has studied up to Class 10 and is currently unemployed. Police said he is a close associate of the main accused, Amit alias Kaku.

Sonam (19 years), a resident of Vijay Enclave, Dwarka, New Delhi, studied up to Class 4. She comes from a broken family, as her father remarried and lives separately. Sonam has a record of involvement in four robbery cases along with the accused Amit when she was a juvenile. She had previously been sent to an Observation Home for 40 days.

During interrogation, the accused confessed to their involvement in the crime.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the involvement of the accused persons in other similar offences.

Continue Reading

Crime

Crackdown At Mumbai Airport: Customs Nab 4 Bangkok Flyers With 18 Kg Hydroponic Weed, 1 Dubai Flyer With Gold Bangles

Published

on

Mumbai: On the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai Customs Zone III, intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai by flight no.SL218. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 5.922 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately ₹ 5.922 crores.

The narcotic substances were concealed inside the checked-in trolley bag carried by the passengers.

1 passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

On the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai Customs Zone III, intercepted 02 passengers arriving from Bangkok by flight no. AI2338. During the examination of the baggage, the Customs officers recovered 12.017 kg of suspected Hydroponic Weed (Marijuana), with an illicit market value of approximately ₹12.017 crores.

The narcotic substances were concealed inside the chocolate and chips packets carried by the passengers.

2 passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

On the basis of profiling, the Customs officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai Customs Zone III, intercepted 01 passenger arriving from Dubai to Mumbai by flight no. AI2202. During the personal search of the passenger, the Customs officers recovered 24 KT crude gold Bangles (08 pcs) having weight of 225 grams valued at Rs. 25.64 Lakh. The said gold was found concealed on body of the passenger.

Continue Reading

Trending