Several Congress leaders have sought to know if the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the U.S. was in India to gather information on the alleged bitcoin scam in Karnataka, which created a flutter in political circles last year.
A day after Congress in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala and the former Minister Priyank Kharge raised this issue on Twitter, Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah tweeted on Saturday alleging the involvement of Karnataka BJP leaders in the scam and accusing them of transferring bitcoins to fill “Modi wallet”.
“The chronology of the alleged bitcoin scam raised a lot of suspicion about the involvement of BJP leaders of the State. Why was the ED, CBI or Interpol not informed till it was reported by the media? Was it because the then Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai was scared of being exposed?” the Congress leader asked in a series of tweets.
Mr. Siddaramaiah further said the news of the investigation by the FBI on Indian soil was a matter of concern and it raised questions on the efficiency of Indian intelligence agencies. “Is FBI’s intervention a result of ED and CBI’s failure? Or an outcome of a failed attempt by BJP leaders to cover up?” he asked.
Mr. Siddaramaiah alleged that transferred bitcoins were said to have been used to launder money and mobilise drug cartels, by “invisible hands in power”. These activities, if proved, expose the “true anti-nationals of India”, he said.
No information
Meanwhile, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, when asked whether the FBI was in India to probe the bitcoin scam, said he was not aware of it. “We do not have information on the FBI having come to New Delhi,” he said.
On Congress leaders’ demand that the BJP Government should come clean on the bitcoin case, the Home Minister said, “Everybody knows who is involved in the bitcoin scam. Even Congress knows. Maybe, the probe will start with them. With elections nearing, the Congress wants to defame the Government,” Mr. Jnanendra said.
