In what is perhaps the first case of virtual currency, Gujarat police CID (Crime) has booked a Police Inspector (PI) and other policemen for extorting 200 bitcoins worth ₹12 crore from a Surat-based builder and real estate player.
A compliant was received against PI Anant Patel for allegedly abducting a businessman Shailesh Bhatt at a farm house in Gandhinagar and forcing him to transfer 200 bitcoins from his mobile.
Following the complaint and a preliminary probe, the police lodged an FIR naming 11 persons as accused. The FIR also named a private individual, who reportedly played acted as a fixer between the businessman and the police.
“We have formed a team to probe the high profile case,” additional DG Ashish Bhatia said.
The police maintained that they are yet to get substantive evidence of the bitcoin transaction as alleged by the applicant Mr Bhatt.
