Bitcoin extortion: Former Gujarat MLA Nalin Kotadiya declared absconder

Nalin-Kotadiya-ANI [File] Nalin Kotadiya | ANI

A sessions court in Ahmedabad on Monday accepted an application from the CID (Crime) to declare former MLA Nalin Kotadiya as an absconder in the bitcoin extortion case.

The court has given Kotadiya 30 days time to appear before it.

The CID (Crime) had moved the sessions court on June 12 to declare Kotadiya an absconder.

Kotadiya, a two-time MLA from Dhari, once representing the ruling BJP and then the Gujarat Parivartan Party, is allegedly involved in a conspiracy to extort bitcoins worth over Rs 9 crore.

During the Patidar agitation, Kotadiya had supported pro-quota stir leader Hardik Patel and his outfit Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

Kotadiya had initially claimed that he would present himself before the police. However, he disappeared later on, and the police have not been able to trace him. Kotadiya is believed to have fled from Gujarat and left behind his cellphone in the state, so that his movements cannot be tracked.

Several persons, including Amreli SP Jagdish Patel and one police officer, have been arrested in connection with the case.

The CID is investigating the case based on a complaint lodged by Surat-based builder Shailesh Bhatt. The builder, in his complaint, had said that he was abducted as part of a conspiracy to “take over” his 180 bitcoins. These bitcoins are worth over Rs 10 crore.

During investigation, the police found that the money trail led to the former MLA. One of the main accused, Kirit Paladia, who was also a former business partner of Bhatt, had reportedly encashed over 30 bitcoins, and some money was also given to Amreli Police.

Interestingly, during investigations, the police stumbled upon evidence that Bhatt is an accused. However, a complaint is yet to be filed against him.