CBI begins probe into Rs 6,600-crore Maharashtra 'bitcoin scam', case against 2

Amit Bharadwaj and Ajay Bharadwaj - the masterminds in the 'bitcoin scam', have been named in the CBI FIR. While Amit died of a heart attack earlier, Ajay is a fugitive who is on the lookout by multiple agencies.

In Short

• Amit and Ajay Bharadwaj named as masterminds in CBI FIR
• Another suspect Gaurav Mehta summoned by CBI for questioning
• BJP alleged Supriya Sule involved in bitcoin dealings for MVA's win in Maharashtra

The CBI on Wednesday began an investigation into an alleged Maharashtra 'bitcoin scam' case amounting to Rs 6,600 crore and filed a case against two masterminds and called another one for questioning.

The federal probe agency's probe began after a Supreme Court order.

Two suspects - Amit Bharadwaj and Ajay Bharadwaj - the masterminds in the case, have been named in the CBI FIR. While Amit died of a heart attack earlier, Ajay is a fugitive who is on the lookout by multiple agencies.

The CBI summoned Gaurav Mehta, another accused in the case, and asked him to appear before the investigating officer at the earliest.

Initially, the ED had filed FIRs against the Bhardwaj brothers in Delhi, Pune and a few other places for allegedly cheating investors. The ED registered the cases on the basis of a case registered with Maharashtra Police's EOW (Economic Offence Wing) and then started investigations.

The CBI probe came a day after BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi played audio clips at a press conference, accusing NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole of conspiring with a former police commissioner and a dealer to indulge in illegal bitcoin transactions to sway the election outcome to favour the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra.

Sule denied the BJP's charge, saying it was not her voice in the recording and accused the BJP of indulging in "cheap politics".

Sule, who is the daughter of NCP founder Sharad Pawar, said she was not involved in such "dirty politics" and accused the BJP of defaming her. She said that she sent a notice to the BJP about making such 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.