Bitcoin Scam Case: 17 people including former MLA Nalin Kotadiya have been found guilty in the Bitcoin scam. Former Amreli SP Jagdish Patel and other police officers have also been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya, former SP of Amreli Jagdish Patel, former police inspector Anant Patel and 14 other accused have been convicted in the Bitcoin scam case. The court has sentenced all of them to life imprisonment. A case has been registered against the accused under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

This case is related to the sensational kidnapping and ransom case of 2018, in which Surat builder Shailesh Bhatt was kidnapped. The case report revealed that Shailesh Bhatt was kidnapped by PI Anant Patel and his team in a government vehicle. Shailesh Bhatt was taken to a place near Gandhinagar and there he was asked to transfer 176 bitcoins worth Rs 9 crore. After the transfer, separate extortion money was also taken from the builder. 

The arrested lawyer had given the name of the former MLA. 

After investigating the kidnapping case, the CID arrested PI Anant Patel and 10 other policemen. Apart from this, it was also found that a Surat lawyer Ketan Patel was involved in this case, after which he was also arrested. 

During interrogation, Ketan Patel told that former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadia and former SP Jagdish Patel are also involved in this case. Police arrested Jagdish Patel on the information given by the accused lawyer. Nalin Kotadia's role came to light as a 'fixer'. With time, a total of 14 people were arrested by the police. 

Builder Shailesh Bhatt also has a criminal history

In August 2024, Ahmedabad Police also arrested builder Shailesh Bhatt. He was found guilty in the money laundering case. Shailesh Bhatt was accused of extorting 2091 Bitcoins, 11000 Litecoins and cash worth Rs 14.50 crore. The total amount reaches Rs 1232.50 crore.