CBI Probes Alleged Bitcoin Scam Tied to Maharashtra Elections

Politicians Supriya Sule and Nana Patole deny accusations of using cryptocurrency fraud proceeds for campaign funding as investigations intensify.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has summoned Gaurav Mehta, an audit firm employee, for questioning in connection with a ₹6,606 crore Bitcoin Ponzi scheme allegedly linked to election funding.
Former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil accused NCP leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole of misusing Bitcoin fraud proceeds, claims both leaders strongly deny.
Audio clips allegedly implicating Sule and Patole have been dismissed by experts as AI-generated, and both politicians have filed defamation complaints and cybercrime reports.
The alleged Bitcoin scam, dating back to 2018, involved the collection of 80,000 Bitcoins with promises of high returns, with funds reportedly diverted to overseas properties.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting parallel investigations into money laundering aspects, with properties and assets already seized in connection to the case.