The CBI initiated an inquiry into a purported Maharashtra ‘bitcoin scam’ worth Rs 6,600 crore, lodging a complaint against two leaders and summoning a third for interrogation.
The investigation by the federal probe agency commenced following an order from the Supreme Court.
Amit Bharadwaj and Ajay Bharadwaj, who are believed to be the masterminds in the case, have been identified in the CBI FIR. Even though Amit passed away from a heart attack, Ajay is currently a wanted fugitive being sought after by various agencies.
Another accused in the case, Gaurav Mehta, was summoned by the CBI and requested to appear before the investigating officer as soon as possible.
At first, FIRs were lodged by the ED against the Bhardwaj siblings in Delhi, Pune, and several other locations on suspicion of deceiving investors. The ED initiated investigations after registering cases connected to a case handled by Maharashtra Police’s EOW.
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The investigation by the CBI began the day after BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi presented audio recordings at a press conference, alleging that NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole conspired with a former police commissioner and a dealer to participate in illicit bitcoin transactions in order to influence the election results in favor of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra.
Sule rejected the accusation from the BJP, stating that the voice in the recording was not hers, and accused the BJP of engaging in “cheap politics”.
Sule, the daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, denied any involvement in “dirty politics” and blamed the BJP for tarnishing her reputation. She mentioned sending a notification to the BJP regarding their claims.
“I am an honest and straightforward servant of the country. I have spoken against bitcoin in Parliament. Nana Patole has also filed a complaint. The person who made the allegations was in jail. The BJP is defaming me and this is a fake allegation against me. I have sent a notice to them,” the Baramati MP said.
