The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into a major alleged bitcoin scam in Maharashtra, reportedly worth Rs 6,600 crore, after receiving directions from the Supreme Court. The agency has filed a case against two individuals, Amit Bharadwaj and Ajay Bharadwaj, who are said to be the masterminds behind the scam.
Amit Bharadwaj, who passed away due to a heart attack, is no longer part of the investigation, while his brother, Ajay Bharadwaj, remains a fugitive and is being pursued by multiple agencies. The CBI has also summoned Gaurav Mehta, another key figure in the case, to appear before investigators at the earliest.
Previously, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed FIRs against the Bharadwaj brothers in multiple locations, including Delhi and Pune, for allegedly deceiving investors. These investigations stemmed from a case filed by Maharashtra Police’s Economic Offence Wing (EOW).
The CBI’s action follows a controversy involving BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi, who recently played audio recordings at a press conference, alleging that NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole were involved in illegal bitcoin transactions aimed at manipulating election results in favor of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).
Sule, who vehemently denied the charges, dismissed the audio as fake and accused the BJP of engaging in “cheap politics.” In a strong rebuttal, Sule, the daughter of NCP leader Sharad Pawar, denied any involvement in the alleged conspiracy and claimed the accusations were part of a campaign to tarnish her reputation. She further stated that she had sent a legal notice to the BJP in response to the allegations.
Patole also rejected the claims, asserting his innocence and affirming that he had filed a complaint against the individual behind the accusations.
