Rs. 6600 Crore Bitcoin Scam: On Wednesday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an investigation into an alleged massive bitcoin scam in Maharashtra, which is said to involve a staggering amount of Rs 6,600 crore. The CBI filed a case against two primary suspects, who are believed to be the masterminds behind the scam, and also called another individual in for questioning. The investigation is taking place after the Supreme Court ordered the CBI to look into the matter.
The Alleged Masterminds and Key Players behind Rs. 6600 Crore Bitcoin Scam
The two key figures involved in the alleged scam are Amit Bharadwaj and Ajay Bharadwaj, both of whom are named in the CBI’s First Information Report (FIR). Amit Bharadwaj, one of the accused masterminds, passed away from a heart attack earlier. On the other hand, Ajay Bharadwaj is currently a fugitive and is being actively pursued by various law enforcement agencies. The CBI has also summoned Gaurav Mehta, another accused individual in the case, to appear before the investigating officer at the earliest opportunity to provide more information.
Previous Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Prior to the CBI’s involvement, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had already registered FIRs against the Bharadwaj brothers in multiple locations, including Delhi and Pune. The ED’s investigations began after Maharashtra Police’s Economic Offence Wing (EOW) filed a case, alleging that the Bharadwaj brothers had cheated investors through illegal bitcoin transactions. The ED’s focus was on uncovering the financial aspects of the scam and bringing the accused to justice.
CBI Investigation Triggered by Allegations of Political Influence
The CBI’s investigation into the bitcoin scam gained further political attention when BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi held a press conference, during which he played audio recordings. Trivedi accused NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole of conspiring with a former police commissioner and a bitcoin dealer to carry out illegal bitcoin transactions. According to Trivedi, the aim of these transactions was to sway the results of the Maharashtra elections in favor of the opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Supriya Sule’s Denial of Allegations
Supriya Sule, a prominent politician from Maharashtra and the daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, strongly denied the accusations. She asserted that the voice heard in the audio recordings was not hers and labeled the claims as part of a baseless political smear campaign by the BJP. Sule further accused the BJP of indulging in “cheap politics” and defaming her reputation.
Sule, who has consistently spoken out against the use of bitcoin and cryptocurrency in Parliament, clarified that she had no involvement in the alleged illegal activities. She expressed her frustration over the BJP’s tactics, claiming that they were resorting to false allegations to undermine her. Sule also revealed that she had sent a legal notice to the BJP in response to the claims made during the press conference.
The Political Fallout
The entire controversy has escalated into a political issue, with allegations being leveled against senior opposition leaders. Sule emphasized that her integrity and straightforward nature should not be questioned, and she called for the BJP to be held accountable for spreading false accusations. The issue has gained traction due to the involvement of prominent figures like Sule and Patole, who have significant political influence in Maharashtra.
In her statement, Sule reiterated that she was an honest public servant and had always taken a strong stance against the use of cryptocurrencies. She pointed out that Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress president, had also filed a formal complaint regarding the allegations, further distancing herself from the charges. Sule concluded by stressing that the person making the accusations had previously been in jail, adding another layer of doubt about the legitimacy of the claims.
Conclusion
While the CBI’s investigation into the alleged bitcoin scam is underway, the political implications of the case continue to intensify. The accusations made by the BJP against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole have sparked a war of words between political parties in Maharashtra, with both sides accusing each other of playing dirty politics. The case is likely to continue making headlines as more information emerges about the extent of the bitcoin scam and the involvement of key figures in the Maharashtra political landscape.
The legal proceedings and investigation will determine the truth behind the scam and the political allegations, but for now, the case remains a highly contentious issue that involves both financial crime and political maneuvering.