Mumbai, April 2: The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) has rejected an application filed by Mahadev Online Book promoter Saurabh Chandrakar seeking the removal of a Red Notice issued against him, upholding allegations related to money laundering and organised financial crime, officials familiar with the case said.
INTERPOL rejects plea against Red Notice
The rejection, which was officially communicated by INTERPOL in the last week of February, effectively removes a key international procedural challenge to enforcement action against Chandrakar. The development significantly strengthens the position of Indian investigating agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), as they move forward with extradition proceedings and other legal measures aimed at securing his return to India for trial.
CCF dismisses claims of political motivation
Chandrakar had challenged the Red Notice, alleging that criminal proceedings against him in India were politically motivated and that he would not receive a fair trial if extradited. However, the Commission dismissed these claims, concluding that the case did not fall within the scope of political persecution under INTERPOL’s constitutional framework.
The CCF, which reviews complaints related to international arrest warrants, noted that Chandrakar is a businessman and not a political figure or former politician, and observed that the charges primarily relate to money laundering and organised financial crime, which are classified as serious criminal offences. It further stated that the material submitted by India’s National Central Bureau (NCB), which operates as a specialised wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), was sufficiently detailed and substantiated to establish a reasonable basis for the allegations.
Co-accused application still pending
A similar application filed by Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the betting platform, remains pending before the Commission. Officials said his plea is expected to be decided on similar grounds.
Allegations of coercion and political conspiracy
In his submission, Chandrakar alleged that the proceedings against him by the Indian investigating agency were initiated to deflect attention from alleged corruption scandals in Chhattisgarh, involving the ruling party at the time, and claimed he faced a risk of coercion and mistreatment if extradited to India.
To support his claims, he cited the arrests of Assistant Sub-Inspector Chandrabhushan Verma and alleged cash courier Asim Das, arguing that their statements were obtained under coercion and were being used to implicate him in a broader political conspiracy involving illegal funding and electoral financing.
Indian agencies defend investigation
The CCF, however, accepted the response from the Indian NCB, which provided detailed clarifications on the cases of Verma and Das. Indian authorities maintained that the investigation was initiated well before any electoral developments, bearing no political nexus. They further assured the Commission that Chandrakar would be treated in strict accordance with Indian legal standards.
The CCF, in its assessment, said the material provided by Indian authorities was sufficiently specific and detailed to indicate possible involvement in the alleged offences.
Extradition process gains momentum
According to officials, the ED, working with the CBI as India’s nodal agency for INTERPOL matters, submitted charge sheets and supporting evidence in response to the claims. The agency maintained that the case is rooted in substantive financial crime investigations.
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It also noted that while Chandrakar raised concerns about human rights risks, its mandate is limited to assessing compliance with INTERPOL rules and not the broader evaluation of national judicial systems. The Commission said such claims are more appropriately tested in national courts during extradition proceedings.
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