CBI summons audit company employee Gaurav Mehta in Bitcoin ponzi scam case
New Delhi, Nov 20: The CBI on Wednesday summoned Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee, in connection with the over Rs 6,000-crore Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam case registered by the agency on the directions of the Supreme Court, officials said.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has directed Mehta to appear before the investigating officer of the case as soon as possible, they said. The top court handed over the case to the CBI in December last year.
The agency has taken over the investigation into cases related to the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scheme registered by various state police all over the country.
Maharashtra and Delhi police had registered multiple cases against Variable Tech Pte Ltd, Late Amit Bhardwaj and Ajay Bhardwaj and others for allegedly running multi-level-marketing (MLM) schemes through which they allegedly collected around Rs 6,600 crore in the form of Bitcoins in 2017 from gullible people while offering 10 per cent monthly return in the cryptocurrency.
Bitcoins, a cryptocurrency, are not controlled by any central bank of any country.
The CBI notice to Mehta came close on the heels of searches conducted by the Enforcement Directorate at his premises.
The ED said it has widened its probe into the Gain Bitcoin ponzi scam case and was investigating the "links" of Mehta and some others with politicians, bureaucrats and politically exposed people.
Mehta's name was also mentioned by former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency "fraud" case being probed by the Pune Police.
In his complaint sent to the Election Commission via email, Patil said according to the chats, he claims to possess, it appears that hundreds of Bitcoins worth billions of rupees may have been pumped in the assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha elections.
It also appears that Mehta currently has misappropriated Bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, Patil has said in the complaint.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
UP govt committed to providing housing to needy: Adityanath
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the state government would ensure housing for the needy and extend adequate financial assistance for the treatment of those suffering from serious illnesses.
During his visit to Gorakhpur, he heard grievances of people at a ‘Janata Darshan’ programme held at the Gorakhnath Temple.
Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said the government is committed to ensuring that every eligible and needy person benefits from welfare schemes and that all public grievances are resolved effectively.
ALSO READ: UDF releases manifesto for Kerala Assembly polls
He interacted with around 100 people and listened to their complaints individually at the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhavan premises, an official statement said.
The chief minister directed administrative and police officials to ensure time-bound, fair and satisfactory redressal of issues.
He also instructed the police to take prompt and strict action in matters related to law enforcement.
During the interaction, a woman raised her concern regarding lack of housing, to which the chief minister assured that she would be provided a house under a government scheme.
People seeking financial help for treatment of serious ailments were also assured that lack of funds would not hinder medical care.
Adityanath directed officials to promptly prepare estimates for advanced medical treatment of needy patients and ensure timely assistance.
