India-UAE ties hit bump as Mahadev app accused vanishes from Dubai

NEW DELHI: The perplexing manner in which Ravi Uppal, a high-value accused in the Rs 6,000-crore Mahadev app money laundering case, left Dubai despite a pending extradition request, puts a wrinkle on otherwise smooth UAE-India ties.

UAE has also not informed New Delhi of where he has travelled to.Uppal was considered a big catch for Indian enforcement agencies, probing the illegal betting syndicate. Multiple agencies, including ED and CBI, were probing alleged payments of kickbacks of more than Rs 500 crore involving former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel. Uppal was recently released from Dubai police's custody despite the extradition request pending since Dec 2023, when he was arrested on an Interpol Red Corner Notice. ED seeks MEA help to take up Uppal's release 'at the highest diplomatic level' India has an extradition treaty with the UAE, and in the past, the latter had extradited high-profile accused, including British national Christian Michel, an arms dealer, held in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper 'scam'.India had sent the extradition request "duly transmitted through official diplomatic channels" after Dubai police informed New Delhi of Uppal's arrest in Dec 2023, sources said. "Despite timely submission and verifiable proof of delivery, UAE authorities later claimed that no extradition request had been received and released the accused.

This assertion contradicts the documentation available with the Indian side," a source said.While Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought the ministry of external affairs (MEA) help to take up the matter "at the highest diplomatic level" to ensure adherence to treaty commitments by the UAE, officials here are perplexed by the manner in which such a high-profile accused has been allowed to disappear from custody despite a formal request for extradition pending and the Interpol's Red Corner Notice still active.UAE authorities have also not informed India about Uppal's destination, which country he has travelled to while leaving the UAE. "MEA guidelines on extradition procedures clearly state that a formal extradition request must be submitted within 45 to 60 days from the date of provisional arrest, and even if the fugitive is released, it does not preclude re-arrest and extradition once the request is received," a senior official said. Sourabh Chandrakar, who like Ravi Uppal is a promoter of the syndicate, is also under detention based on a similar Red Corner Notice.

A special court in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, had issued a non-bailable warrant against them, leading to the Interpol notice for their arrest, and subsequently, extradition requests.