Amreli SP arrested for bitcoin ‘extortion’

Our Correspondent

Ahmedabad, April 23 

The Gujarat CID (Crime) police have arrested Amreli Superintendent of Police Jagdish Patel for alleged extortion and loot in connection with a case of transfer of bitcoin — a crypto currency not recognised in the country. 

“We have picked up the SP from his residence in Amreli in the morning following the  interrogation of inspector Anant Patel, who was deputed at local crime branch,” said Ashish Bhatia, ADGP in charge of CID (crime). 

Anant reportedly named the SP during interrogation. Later, Jagdish was brought to Gandhinagar for questioning.  

The case was related to abduction of the Surat-based builder and complainant, Shailesh Bhatt, who had claimed that he was forcefully made to transfer 200 bitcoins worth Rs 12 crore from his account and pay Rs 32 crore in cash. Bhatt had alleged that he was kidnapped by Anant Patel and other policemen from the Amreli local crime branch and kept confined in a farm house near Gandhinagar. He was then forced to share his passwords and code for transfer of bitcoins.

Earlier, two constables of the Amreli crime branch Babu Der and Vijay and a Surat-based advocate Ketan Patel were also arrested.  A Special Investigation Team has been set up to probe the case.