The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have intensified their investigations against Gaurav Mehta, a suspect in a Bitcoin Ponzi scam, following allegations that politicians may have been involved in using cryptocurrency to influence Maharashtra assembly polls. The ED searched Mehta's residence in Raipur and seized computers and digital devices. The CBI summoned him to appear before investigators. The ED is probing Mehta's potential links to politicians, politically exposed persons, and bureaucrats as part of its money laundering probe. The allegations came after BJP released purported voice notes suggesting that Congress and NCP leaders were attempting to use cryptocurrency for election campaigning. Both parties denied the claims, calling the voice notes fake.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned an employee of an auditing firm in the multi-crore bitcoin scam in which Maharashtra politicians Supriya Sule and Nana Patole were accused of having a hand.

ED raids premises of Gaurav Mehta, allegedly linked to a bitcoin transactions case in poll-bound Maharashtra, official sources said.

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.

Maharashtra Bitcoin scam: Bitcoin is in the news again after allegations were levelled against Congress's Maharashtra chief Nana Patole and NCP (SP)'s Supriya Sule of being involved in a Bitcoin scam, triggering a political outrage just a day before crucial voting in Maharashtra.

The searches are being conducted as part of an ongoing money laundering probe.

Gain Bitcoin scam case: ED and CBI intensify investigations into alleged Rs 6,600-crore Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam case involving Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee.