Saurabh Chandrakar's fake passport used a name just one letter away from cricketer Mendis

The fake Indonesian passport recovered from Mahadev betting app's alleged kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar, arrested in Oman, carries his photo but the name Ajanta Mendis, eerily close to Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis, raising fears of a delay in his extradition to India.

The passport recovered from Mahadev Online Betting app's alleged kingpin Saurabh Chandrakar, arrested in Oman, has thrown up a strange puzzle for investigators: the photograph on the document is his, but the printed name belongs to someone else entirely. Officials have found that a fake Indonesian passport was used to slip into Oman, and it is this very document that has now come under scrutiny during the process of bringing him back to India.

His face, a name borrowed from a Sri Lankan bowler
According to details that have emerged, the photograph on the seized passport matches Saurabh Chandrakar's identity, but the name printed on it reads "Ajanta Mendis." That spelling sounds almost identical to former Sri Lankan bowler Ajantha Mendis, with the only difference being a single extra letter, 'H', in the cricketer's actual name. Such a minor spelling tweak makes a fabricated identity harder to flag at a glance, which is likely why whoever prepared the forged document settled on a name so close to a recognisable one.

Agencies clarify the cricketer has nothing to do with the case
Amid questions raised by the striking similarity in names, investigating agencies have made it clear that former Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis has no connection whatsoever to the case. They believe a familiar, near-identical name was deliberately picked to make the forged document look convincing. Investigators are also trying to establish whether Saurabh himself chose this particular name for his fake identity, or whether it was suggested by a network that specialises in producing counterfeit documents.

What the passport's details reveal
The recovered passport carries the number E3387986. Its date of birth is listed as 11 March 1998, which puts the holder's stated age at 28. The document was issued on 21 June 2024 and remains valid until 21 June 2034. Agencies are now working to confirm whether this was the exact passport Saurabh used to enter Oman.

Extradition process could face delays
Officials say the forged passport angle could slow down efforts to bring Saurabh back to India. Legal proceedings in Oman over the fake document charges are expected to run their course first, and only after that will a decision be taken on India's extradition request. Leaning on the provisions of the India-Oman extradition treaty, the Indian government and its agencies have already begun pursuing his return.

Untraceable since 2023, an Interpol notice and ED's crackdown
Saurabh Chandrakar managed to stay beyond the reach of Indian investigating agencies from 2023 onward, and Interpol has already issued a Red Corner Notice against him. According to the Enforcement Directorate, the Mahadev betting network was used to generate an illegal income running into thousands of crores of rupees. During its investigation, the agency has already seized multiple properties linked to Saurabh and his close associates.

Questions & Answers

1. Where was Saurabh Chandrakar arrested?
He was arrested in Oman.

2. What name was printed on the fake passport?
The passport carried the name Ajanta Mendis, just one letter 'H' short of former Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis's actual name.

3. Does Sri Lankan cricketer Ajantha Mendis have any link to the case?
No, investigating agencies have clarified that the former cricketer has no connection to the case.

4. How long is the fake passport valid for?
It was issued on 21 June 2024 and remains valid until 21 June 2034.

5. Could Saurabh's extradition to India be delayed?
Officials say legal proceedings over the fake passport in Oman must conclude first, which could delay his extradition.

6. What is Saurabh Chandrakar accused of?
He is accused of running an illegal business worth thousands of crores of rupees through the Mahadev Online Betting network and had evaded Indian agencies since 2023.

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