Bitcoin Scam: When money, power, and greed collide, the truth often struggles to breathe. Gujarat witnessed one such storm when the infamous 2018 Bitcoin scam exposed the unholy nexus between politicians, police officers, and middlemen. Now, years later, justice has finally spoken. In a historic judgment, the ACB Special Court of Ahmedabad City Sessions sentenced 14 people including former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya and ex-IPS officer Jagdish Patel to life imprisonment.
A Scam That Rocked Gujarat’s Core
The case began with the shocking kidnapping of Surat builder Shailesh Bhatt, who was abducted and held at a farmhouse. His kidnappers, allegedly led by then Amreli SP Jagdish Patel with political backing, demanded ransom in both cash and cryptocurrency. Reports revealed that 200 Bitcoins were seized, and an eye-watering ₹32 crore ransom was demanded.
What made the case even more sensational was that Bhatt himself had earlier grabbed cryptocurrency worth nearly ₹150 crore from another businessman, Dhawal Mawani. This spiraled into a dangerous cycle of crime, betrayal, and extortion that shook Gujarat’s political and policing systems to the core.
The Verdict That Sent a Strong Message
After years of courtroom battles, the ACB Court handed down its toughest punishment. Out of the 15 accused, 14 were sentenced to life imprisonment, while one, Jatin Patel, was acquitted. Those convicted included not only politicians and senior police officials but also businessmen, lawyers, and middlemen.
“Today’s verdict proves that no one is above the law. Even those in uniform and public office cannot misuse power to indulge in organized crime,” a senior CID official said after the ruling.
Web of Power, Bribes, and Cryptocurrency
The investigation unearthed startling revelations:
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CBI Inspector Sunil Nair was found guilty of accepting a ₹5 crore bribe in cash.
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Amreli police were accused of siphoning off Bitcoins worth ₹12 crore.
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Political figures like Kotadiya and Patel allegedly conspired with middlemen to exploit Bhatt’s vulnerable position.
Special Public Prosecutor Amit Patel described the case as more than just a scam. “This was not just about cryptocurrency. It was about corruption at the highest levels, where politics and policing joined hands for profit.”
A Turning Point for Justice in India
The Bitcoin scam was not just a financial crime it was a mirror to the dangerous misuse of power. With this verdict, the judiciary has made it clear that political influence and police authority cannot shield anyone from justice. For the people of Gujarat, and India at large, it restores faith in the system that even the mighty can fall when truth prevails.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available news sources. It does not intend to defame any individual or institution but only reports verified developments related to the Bitcoin scam case.
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