The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday (September 24, 2026) said it has arrested Abhishek Kumar, one of the purported kingpins in the alleged ₹6,000 crore Mahadev online betting app scam. Mr. Kumar was arrested at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad immediately after his flight from Dubai landed there on Thursday (September 24, 2026), said a CBI official.

Abhishek Kumar is accused of running online betting and gambling operations under Mahadev Book, in coordinating the panels, in collecting funds and in acquiring immovable assets in Dubai out of the ill-gotten proceeds of betting and gambling, the official added.

Materials seized

“Incriminating material was found and seized from his possession during the search immediately after his arrest. The seized material prima facie shows his active role in the operation of the Mahadev betting app, and immediately after arrest, the accused was produced before the local court in Hyderabad, and three days’ transit remand was obtained. Later, he was taken and produced before the Raipur court and taken into two days police custody remand,” the official said.

So far, the CBI has filed eight chargesheets in the Mahadev scam against 100 accused persons, including the main promoters of the Mahadev betting app, panel operators, hawala operators and public servants of the Chhattisgarh government. Mr. Kumar, it is alleged, worked closely with other main accused — Saurabh Chandrakar and Shubham Soni. Chandrakar was last traced to Oman in July, agencies had said. A CBI release noted that efforts were on to bring the duo back to India to face trial.

“So far, seven Red Corner Notices and two Extradition Proposals have been sent, and extradition proceedings against two accused are underway,” the official said.