NEW DELHI: A diplomatic wrinkle has emerged in India–UAE relations after Ravi Uppal, one of the prime accused in the ₹6,000-crore Mahadev online betting money-laundering case, mysteriously vanished from Dubai. His disappearance comes despite a pending Indian extradition request and an active Interpol Red Corner Notice against him — leaving New Delhi both surprised and concerned.
Uppal, regarded as a major link in the sprawling illegal betting network, was seen as a crucial catch by Indian enforcement agencies. Both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing the case, which allegedly involves kickbacks exceeding ₹500 crore and connections to senior political figures, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Sources said Uppal was released from Dubai Police custody even though India’s formal extradition request had been submitted in December 2023, soon after his arrest under the Interpol notice. His sudden release and disappearance have triggered concerns within the Indian establishment about possible lapses in coordination between the two countries.
India Seeks Diplomatic Intervention
The ED has now approached the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to raise the matter with the UAE “at the highest diplomatic level,” pressing for a reaffirmation of the extradition treaty’s implementation.
“Despite timely submission and verifiable proof of delivery, UAE authorities later claimed that no extradition request had been received before releasing the accused. This claim contradicts the official documentation available with the Indian side,” a government source told TOI.
India and the UAE share a functioning extradition treaty, under which the Gulf nation has previously handed over several high-profile fugitives — including Christian Michel, the British arms dealer linked to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case. The current situation, however, marks a rare breakdown in that cooperation.
Officials are especially troubled that UAE authorities have not disclosed Uppal’s destination or the country to which he travelled after leaving Dubai, making it difficult for Indian agencies to trace him.
Procedural Questions Raised
According to MEA’s extradition guidelines, a formal request must be filed within 45–60 days of a fugitive’s provisional arrest. Even if the individual is released, the guidelines allow for re-arrest and extradition once the request is formally received.
“Releasing a fugitive with an active Red Corner Notice while a valid extradition request is pending is highly unusual,” an official said, calling the episode “deeply perplexing.”
Meanwhile, Uppal’s associate Sourabh Chandrakar, another key promoter of the Mahadev syndicate, remains under detention abroad on a similar Red Corner Notice. A special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has already issued non-bailable warrants against both men, leading to the international alerts and extradition efforts.
For now, Uppal’s disappearance has not only stalled the Mahadev probe but also placed diplomatic scrutiny on how one of India’s most sought-after fugitives slipped through the cracks — potentially testing the resilience of the India–UAE strategic partnership.
