Cops arrest PI in connection to Surat bitcoin case

Crime branch sleuths arrested one of the inspectors of Amreli police station on Thursday. Anant Patel, the inspector, was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Surat-based builder, Shailesh Bhatt, and extorted bitcoins from him. He was arrested from Gandhinagar.

Responding to a tip-off that the accused was seen Adalaj, three teams of officers reached the place and spotted Patel, shaven, and waiting along the road. The accused tried to flee in vain, the police said.

Nine police officials, including an inspector of the Amreli unit of the Crime Branch, were booked by CID (Crime) on April 8 for allegedly kidnapping a builder and extorting cryptocurrency and cash from him.

The case was registered against nine police officials of Amreli crime branch, including Anant Patel. CID had arrested two Amreli police constables: Babubhai Der and Vijay Vadher. Also, one Ketal Patel was arrested on April 8. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to crack the case.

Following directions of the state government, the CID (Crime) had launched a probe in February. The order came after Bhatt alleged that he was kidnapped from Gandhinagar by the accused policemen on February 9. Bhatt also said that he was taken to a farmhouse where Patel beat him up and forced him to transfer 200 bitcoins worth Rs12crore. Patel also demanded Rs 32 crore for his release, Bhatia said.

CRIME SHEET

• Following directions of the state government, the CID had launched a probe in February.
   
• Bhatt told police that he was taken to a farmhouse where Patel beat him and forced him to transfer 200 bitcoins worth Rs 12crore.