Gujarat High Court grants bail to police inspector Anant Patel accused in bitcoin scam case

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday granted bail to police inspector Anant Patel, who was behind bars in connection with the infamous bitcoin scam case. The single-judge bench of Justice R P Dholaria granted bail to Patel levying conditions that he would surrender his passport and not leave the country.

Patel has been charged with the abduction of Shailesh Bhatt, who is a prime accused in the bitcoin scam. This apart, the charges levied on him includes wrongful confinement, extortion, voluntarily causing hurt and public servant disobeying law.

The court, while granting bail to Patel, considered the fact that the investigation in the case is over and the chargesheet has been filed. Patel has been charged only for abduction of Bhatt, and there is no possibility of him tampering with evidence or fleeing from justice. The court also held that all the other accused including the superintendent of police have been granted bail by the high court or the trial court, without discussing the evidence in detail.

"The court is of the opinion that this is a fit case to exercise discretion and enlarge the applicant on regular bail," Justice Dholaria remarked. The court, however, clarified that the trial court should not be influenced by the remarks made by the high court while deciding the bail application.

CHARGES ON PATEL

Anant Patel has been charged with the abduction of Shailesh Bhatt, who is a prime accused in the bitcoin scam. This apart, the charges levied on him includes wrongful confinement, extortion, voluntarily causing hurt