Voting for 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra is scheduled on November 20. But just 12 hours before this, former Pune-based IPS officer Ravindra Nath Patil had alleged that Bitcoin scam money was being used in the Maharashtra assembly elections.
Ravindra told news agency ANI – The bitcoin dealer himself told him that Baramati MP and Maharashtra Congress president are also involved. They are Rs. 150 crore worth of bitcoins have been sold. They still have crores of rupees.
Following the allegations, the BJP held a press conference on Tuesday night, in which spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi shared the audio of the conversation between the dealer, Amitabh Gupta, Supriya Sule, Nana Patole. He asked – Who are the big guys the dealer is talking about?
Lok Sabha MP Supriya Sule from Baramati has filed a complaint against Rabindra Nath here. Also written in the post on X – BJP is doing dirty politics. Sule has also warned of filing a defamation case against Sudhanshu Trivedi.
What is in the voice notes shared by BJP?
- First audio: This is a voice note sent by Gaurav Mehta, an employee of audit firm Sarathi Associates, to Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta. Gaurav says in English- We created 4 crypto wallets in the name of Patil and Ghode (Patil's associate). Transactions were done from this wallet. If there is an investigation, the same two people (Patil and Ghode) will be implicated. Trust me, no one can reach us.
- Second Audio: This contains 3 voice notes of Supriya Sule sent to Gaurav Mehta. Supriya is saying in English – Gaurav, why don't you answer us? We need cash first. In another note, Supriya says – none of your men are responding. Don't play games with us. What happened to the money? Gupta said – you have all the money. Call immediately. Elections are going on and we need money. In the third note, Supriya is saying – Boss, why aren't you all converting bitcoins into cash. Their price is also favorable. We need funds. Don't worry about the inquiry. We will handle it when we come to power. You just do this.
- Third Audio: This contains Nana Patole's voice note sent to Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta. Nana is putting pressure on Amitabh and asks – Amitabh, what happened to the money? Didn't you ask yesterday? Don't joke like that.
- Fourth Audio: It contains 4 voice notes sent by Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta to Gaurav Mehta. In the first note, Amitabh is saying – Gaurav, you delete all the chats, Bitcoin, BHR related data of me and Bhagyashree. In another note, Amitabh is saying – 100 crores are needed next week. keep ready Vinod will also give you 25 crores, something big is about to happen. There should be no mistake on your part. In the third note, Amitabh is saying – Gaurav, next week we need 50 crores. It has to be delivered to someone in Dubai. Please ask your friend to keep cash ready. In the fourth note Amitabh says – We need some more bitcoins next week, ask your buyer to be ready.
Supriya said- the allegations are false, filed a complaint in EC-Cybercrime
Following the former IAS's allegations, Supriya has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and Cybercrime. Supriya wrote in the post that we have filed a complaint with the Election Commission and Cybercrime against the false allegations of misuse of Bitcoin. The intention behind this is perfectly clear. It is reprehensible that such incidents are happening in a democracy built under the Constitution of India.
Supriya wrote – I deny all allegations of Sudhanshu Trivedi. This is all speculation and lies. I am ready to discuss with any BJP leader in public forum, choose the time and date.
The MP from Baramati also wrote – It is appalling that Sudhanshu Trivedi has made such baseless allegations, although it is not surprising as it is clearly a case of spreading lies on the eve of elections.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).