The Karnataka High Court rejected anticipatory bail for Inspector Chandradhara S R and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shridhar K Pujar, implicated in a prominent Bitcoin scam.
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BENGALURU: Recently, The Karnataka High Court denied anticipatory bail for two high-ranking police officers involved in a well-known Bitcoin scam. Inspector Chandradhara S R and Deputy Superintendent of Police Shridhar K Pujar, listed as accused number three and five, saw their bail requests rejected after a thorough legal examination.
The recent decision from the Karnataka High Court, rejecting anticipatory bail for two senior police officials allegedly involved in a significant Bitcoin scam, follows a preceding ruling by a sessions court which similarly refused bail, indicating the seriousness of the charges leveled against them. Justice Rajendra Badamikar, presiding over the high court proceedings, expressed considerable concerns regarding the potential for manipulation of records and destruction of crucial evidence, highlighting the influential positions held by the accused officials.
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Justice Badamikar was pointed in his remarks, stating-
“The accusations comprised endeavors to manipulate or tamper with evidence.”
which severely undermined the merit of their bail petitions. These stern observations were made during the verdict delivery, emphasizing the court’s stance on maintaining the integrity of the judicial process in cases involving high-level corruption and malfeasance.
Special Public Prosecutor B N Jagadeesha, representing the Crime Investigation Department (CID), argued persuasively about the depth of the accused officers’ involvement in illegal activities. He highlighted that they “were implicated in aiding illegal activities, such as the transfer of funds and Bitcoins.”
The court took a dim view of the petitioners’ actions, noting that their conduct “suggested an effort to manipulate evidence and aid accused individuals for illegal profit.” It was also noted during the proceedings that there were instances where the officers allegedly “supplied illegal substances to detainees and enabled unlawful transactions.”adding layers of criminality beyond the primary charges.
The rejection of their bail is a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into the Bitcoin scam that first came to light in 2021 under the previous BJP regime. The scandal had seen wide publicity, especially as the opposition Congress at the time levied serious accusations against the government for allegedly trying to cover up the involvement of significant figures. Central to the scam was the prime suspect, Srikrishna Ramesh, alias Sriki, who was implicated in hacking the state government’s e-procurement site and misappropriating over Rs.11.5 crore. The allegations against him and others also included cryptocurrency theft, drug peddling, and other cyber fraud activities, painting a picture of a deeply interwoven criminal enterprise.
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