An Indian anti-corruption courtroom has handed down life sentences to 14 males, together with 11 cops and a former legislator, after convicting them for his or her roles in a high-profile crypto-related kidnapping in 2018.
Excessive-ranking officers amongst convicts
The case revolved across the abduction of businessman Shailesh Bhatt, who was allegedly focused for his crypto holdings. These sentenced embody the previous superintendent of police from the district the place the crime occurred and a former member of India’s legislative meeting.
Particular Choose B.B. Jadav in Ahmedabad delivered the ruling, convicting the boys of kidnapping, extortion, and prison conspiracy below the Indian Penal Code.
Kidnapping tied to Bitcoin ransom
Bhatt was lured to a fuel station on February 9, 2018, by males impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation officers. He was then kidnapped, taken to a farmhouse, and threatened at gunpoint by cops till he agreed to pay ransom.
The abductors demanded 176 BTC and a further ₹32 crore ($3.6 million) in money. Finally, Bhatt was compelled to promote 34 BTC and hand over proceeds price about $150,000. Nonetheless, the deliberate money supply failed after the courier grew suspicious and withheld the funds.
Trial highlighted intimidation issues
The case noticed 172 witnesses referred to as, together with digital forensics specialists, financial institution officers, and a few constables who turned approvers. Nonetheless, 92 witnesses later turned hostile, retracting or altering testimony, elevating issues about witness intimidation. At sentencing, Choose Jadav issued perjury notices to 25 witnesses who have been discovered to have misled the courtroom.
Convictions below corruption regulation
The 11 cops weren’t solely convicted for kidnapping and extortion but in addition below India’s anti-corruption statutes, having abused their official powers to commit the crime.
The decision underscores the rising intersection of crypto and prison circumstances in India, the place digital property have more and more been linked to fraud, scams, and extortion plots.
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