Ex-BJP MLA and 11 Police Officers Sentenced in Case Over Alleged Attempt to Seize 752 Bitcoin From Surat Businessman

• Life terms for 14 convicts, including 11 police officers and one former MLA

• Victim Shailesh Bhatt was abducted in Feb. 2018 and coerced to transfer Bitcoin and cash.

• Prosecution presented 173 witnesses; court ordered confiscation of recovered gold and assets.

Surat Bitcoin kidnapping: court convicts 14, including police and ex-MLA, for 2018 crypto extortion—read the ruling and next steps.

A former BJP legislator and 11 police officials have been convicted for the 2018 abduction of a Surat businessman in a plot to seize over 750 Bitcoin.

An Indian anti-corruption court has sentenced 14 individuals, including 11 police officials and a former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), to life imprisonment in a case involving the kidnapping and extortion of crypto from a Surat-based businessman in 2018.

The judgment, delivered by Special Judge B.B. Jadav in Ahmedabad on Friday, found the group guilty of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping for ransom, illegal detention, and assault. The prosecution presented detailed testimony and documentary evidence during the trial.

Among those convicted are former Amreli district superintendent of police Jagdish Patel and ex-MLA Nalin Kotadiya. All 11 police officers, including former IPS officer Patel, were also found guilty under the Prevention of Corruption Act for misconduct by public servants.

The case centers around businessman Shailesh Bhatt, who had reportedly recovered a portion of his lost investment from BitConnect developer Dhaval Mavani in the form of Bitcoin (BTC), after the $900 million company he invested in shut down.

Ex-MLA Nalin Kotadiya among 14 arrested. Source: DeshGujarat

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What happened in the Surat Bitcoin kidnapping case?

The Surat Bitcoin kidnapping involved the abduction of Shailesh Bhatt on Feb. 11, 2018, by a group led by local police officers and allegedly coordinated with a former MLA to seize recovered Bitcoin and cash. Bhatt was detained at Keshav Farm near Gandhinagar and coerced to transfer crypto and cash.

How much crypto and cash were involved?

The accused forced Bhatt to admit receiving 752 Bitcoin from Dhaval Mavani and stated that 176 Bitcoin were held by an associate, Kirit Paladiya. Portions of the holdings were sold for approximately $5 million, and an extortion sale of 34 Bitcoin resulted in about $150,000.

How did investigators build the case?

Bhatt filed a complaint with the Union home ministry, triggering a criminal probe and multiple arrests. The prosecution, led by special public prosecutor Amit Patel, produced 173 witnesses and documentary evidence. The court found unanimous evidence of criminal conspiracy, illegal detention, and corruption by public servants.

What sentences and orders did the court give?

The anti-corruption court imposed life imprisonment on 14 convicted individuals. The court also ordered confiscation of gold ornaments recovered from Amreli SP Jagdish Patel, to be transferred to the Master of Mint in Mumbai. Additional recovery and asset-tracing directions were included in the judgment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was convicted in the Surat Bitcoin extortion?

Fourteen people were convicted, including 11 police officers, former Amreli SP Jagdish Patel and ex-MLA Nalin Kotadiya, for kidnapping, extortion, and corruption in the 2018 Surat crypto abduction.

How did the victim recover his crypto before the abduction?

Victim Shailesh Bhatt is reported to have recovered some Bitcoin from Dhaval Mavani, a BitConnect developer, after the collapse of the $900 million scheme; this recovery reportedly prompted the plot to seize the assets.

Key Takeaways

• Convictions: 14 people convicted, including 11 police officers and one former MLA, for kidnapping and crypto extortion.
• Scale of assets: Case centers on alleged recovery of 752 Bitcoin and millions in cash and sales proceeds.
• Legal outcome: Life sentences handed down; confiscation of assets ordered and further asset tracing possible.

Conclusion

This ruling underscores legal risks around post-ICO recoveries and the potential for criminal exploitation of recovered crypto assets. COINOTAG will continue to monitor legal developments tied to the Surat Bitcoin kidnapping and report updates on prosecutions and asset recovery measures.