⚖️ Ex-BJP MLA and 11 Police Officers Get Life Sentences in 2018 Bitcoin Kidnapping Case

[lingriiddd]

In a landmark ruling out of India, a special anti-corruption court in Ahmedabad has sentenced 14 people to life imprisonment over a crypto-related kidnapping and extortion plot dating back to 2018.

The Convicted

11 police officers, including ex-Amreli superintendent of police Jagdish Patel (an IPS officer).

Former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya, who allegedly masterminded the plan.

Several others involved in the operation.

All were found guilty of:

Criminal conspiracy

Kidnapping for ransom

Illegal detention & assault

Misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act

🧩 The Backstory

Victim: Surat businessman Shailesh Bhatt, who had invested in the infamous BitConnect ($900M Ponzi that collapsed).

Bhatt reportedly recovered part of his lost investment from BitConnect dev Dhaval Mavani in the form of 752 BTC.

Word spread, and Kotadiya + senior officers plotted to seize the funds.

On Feb 11, 2018, Bhatt was:

Kidnapped and held at Keshav Farm, near Gandhinagar.

Beaten and coerced into admitting he had BTC stashed with an associate.

Forced to part with 34 BTC (~$150K) and $3.6M cash after threats and extortion.

️ The Trial & Judgment

Bhatt later escalated the case to India’s Union Home Ministry, triggering a full probe.

The prosecution called 173 witnesses.

The court not only issued life sentences but also ordered the confiscation of gold ornaments seized from SP Patel, to be transferred to the Mumbai Mint.

Why It Matters

This is one of the first major crypto-related corruption rulings in India that directly implicates law enforcement and political figures. It underscores:

How crypto’s pseudonymous nature can attract criminal targeting.

The risks of state actors misusing power in the absence of robust oversight.

The growing seriousness with which Indian courts are treating crypto-related crime.

Question for discussion: Do cases like this highlight the need for stricter crypto regulation, or is the bigger issue corruption and abuse of power by traditional authorities?

[Nahid10]

@lingriiddd
This case is shocking not just because crypto was involved, but because law enforcement officers and politicians were the ones behind it. When the protectors of law turn into criminals, no amount of crypto regulation can fix that — it’s a governance and accountability issue first.

[kelson10]

@lingriiddd
The ruling is historic. It sends a clear message that corruption in crypto-related crimes won’t be tolerated, even when powerful people are involved. India’s courts are showing they’re willing to take bold steps, which could help rebuild public trust in both law enforcement and crypto.

[Maxwell]

This ruling is less about crypto itself and more about systemic corruption. Even without Bitcoin, bad actors in power would have found another way to exploit victims.

[Nahiar806]

It’s a wake-up call — crypto crimes aren’t just about hackers in hoodies, they can involve people inside the system. Stronger regulation may help, but oversight and accountability for authorities is the real key.

[rafihasan]

Fascinating case — it shows both sides of crypto adoption: huge opportunities, but also massive risks when institutions exploit it. India’s courts handing life sentences is a strong signal they won’t tolerate it.