'Supriya Sule, Nana Patole Used Bitcoin Scam To Fund Maharashtra Polls': Ex-IPS' Big Allegation

Mumbai: A day before state of Maharashtra goes to polls, Ravindranath Patil, former-IPS officer from Pune me a major allegation against NCP-SP Leer and Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole. former IPS officer alleged that two leers h misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 Cryptocurrency Fraud Case and h used by same to fund ongoing Maharashtra Assembly Elections . Patil says he is rey to support investigation.

Speaking to ANI, former IPS officer alleged that Amitabh Gupta, n Commissioner of Police, Pune, and Bhagyashri Nautake, n Deputy Commissioner of Police handling Cyber Crime Investigations were involved in misappropriation of bitcoins, which are eventually being used by two political leers.

"My company called me as a cryptocurrency expert to investigate a case in 2018. I was arrested in that case in 2022 under allegations of fraud. I spent 14 months in jail after a trial. During that time, I was wondering what h happened, what case was and why was I trapped. re were or colleagues also with me. We were working on finding out truth. A witness against us, Gaurav Mehta, who is an employee of an audit firm named Sarathi Associates. A day before yesterday, he called me multiple times for 4-5 hours, but I did not respond... Finally, when I responded, he told me that in 2018, when Amit Bharwaj was arrested, he h a cryptocurrency hardware wallet... That wallet was replaced by n Commissioner Amitabh Gupta and anor wallet was kept. We were arrested but real perpetrators were Amitabh Gupta and his team. He (Gaurav Mehta) took names of two IPS officers, Amitabh Gupta and Bhagyashri Nautake. He took two people's name one is Supriya Sule and Nana Patole. He n told me that in this assembly elections bitcoins are being used," Patil alleged.

Patil furr alleged that bitcoin money was used for funding in Maharashtra during Lok Sabha elections.

Patil claims he has access to voice notes allegedly sent by alleged witness Gaurav Mehta, “Supriya Sule has sent three voice note messages in which she is heard asking Gaurav to encash bitcoins as funds are needed for elections. She is also heard assuring him not to worry about inquiries and one y come to power, y will handle m.”

"He (Gaurav Mehta) furr said that in Maharashtra Assembly elections too, same bitcoin money is being used. On direction of Amitabh Gupta, he (Gaurav Mehta) went to Dubai multiple times and converted bitcoin into cash. And that cash is being used in Maharashtra elections... He (Gaurav Mehta) sent me some voice notes he h received on WhatsApp. re were 3 audio messages from Supriya Sule where she asks for cash in exchange for bitcoins. She also says that he (Gaurav Mehta) does not need to worry about inquiry, y will handle it when y come to power... He (Gaurav Mehta) sent anor voice note between Amitabh Gupta and Nana Patole where Patole is asking why re is a delay in cash," Patil furr ded.

Patil furr alleged that "in or calls, Amitabh Gupta is heard giving instructions to Gaurav to cash out bitcoins.

"He (Gaurav) sent me more recordings where Amitabh Gupta was asking for Rs. 50 crores... He sent me a voice note he sent to Amitabh Gupta, saying that y h me 4 crypto wallets under names of Patil and Ghode (my colleague) and transactions were done from se wallets. If re is an investigation, Patil and Ghode would be caught... During chat with me, he (Gaurav Mehta) alleged that he wanted to come out of this but his life would be in danger... I have all screenshots and audio and I am rey to provide m to investigation agencies. I am rey to support investigation," Patil said.

Ravindranath Patil furr said that he got this information from whistle-blower, who was also part of cyber experts' team that was investigating 2018 Cryptocurrency Fraud Case. He furr alleged that Cyber Expert, Gaurav Mehta is currently having custody of misappropriated bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees.

"He said that y have alrey sold bitcoins worth Rs. 150 crores and y have several 100 crores more... cash was used in Lok Sabha elections and is not being used in assembly elections also," Patil claimed.

Neir of named parties have so far reacted to Ravindra Patil's allegations.

Ravindranath Patil is a former IPS officer of 2004 batch and since 2010, he was working as a Cyber Expert in corporate sector. During investigation of 2018 Bitcoin Fraud Case, he was appointed to conduct a forensic audit.

Four years later, he was named as an accused for alleged misappropriation of bitcoins amounting to 5 Crores, and he spent nearly 14 months in Yerawa Central Prison as an undertrial. Currently, he is a practicing vocate in Bombay High Court.

allegations against Nana Patole and Supriya Sule follow an incident of high drams on Tuesday after workers of Bahujan Vikas Aghi (BVA) created a ruckus outside a hotel located at Nalasopara assembly constituency in Palghar district accusing BJP of “distributing money.”

BVA workers created a ruckus outside Vivanta Hotel in Virar where BJP leer Vinod Tawde was holding a meeting with party workers. Notably, Vinod Tawde dismissed charge levelled by BVA that BJP was "distributing money" ahe of upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections.

"A meeting of MLAs of Nalasopara was underway. I went re to tell m about Model Code of Conduct for day of voting, how will voting machines be sealed and how to go about if an objection has to be me. workers of party (Bahujan Vikas Aghi), Appa Thakur and Kshitij thought that we were distributing money. Let Election Commission and Police inquire, let m get CCTV footage. I have been in party for 40 years. Appa Thakur and Kshitij know me, and entire party knows me. Still, I believe that Election Commission should conduct an impartial investigation," Tawde said.

Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20. counting of votes will take place on November 23.