Ex-BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya, former cops among 14 booked for kidnapping Surat builder, extorting bitcoins

A total of 14 people, including the then police inspector (PI) Anant Patel, former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya, ex-Amreli SP Jagdish Patel, and a lawyer, have been named as accused in the sensational 2018 kidnapping and bitcoin extortion case involving Surat-based builder Shailesh Bhatt.

As per the case details, Bhatt was allegedly kidnapped by PI Anant Patel and his team using government vehicles. The accused took him near Gandhinagar and allegedly forced him to transfer 176 bitcoins worth around ₹9 crore. They also demanded ransom from him after the transfer.

During the investigation, the CID Crime Branch arrested the PI, 10 other police personnel, and Surat-based lawyer Ketan Patel.

Ketan Patel’s interrogation revealed the alleged involvement of former BJP MLA Nalin Kotadiya and then Amreli SP Jagdish Patel. Following this, CID arrested Jagdish Patel as well and continued further probe. Kotadiya’s role has surfaced as a ‘fixer’.

Over time, a total of 14 people were arrested in connection with the case, with more names emerging as the investigation progressed.

The case remains one of Gujarat’s most high-profile cybercrime-related extortion cases, exposing deep links between police officials, political figures, and private individuals.

Builder’s criminal past

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Ahmedabad had arrested Shailesh Bhatt in August 2024 under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as part of its ongoing probe into the extortion of 2,091 Bitcoins, 11,000 LiteCoins, and ₹14.50 crore in cash totalling ₹1232.50 crore by the accused.  

The ED initiated the investigation on the basis of two FIRs registered by the CID (Crime), Surat, under the relevant sections of the law on charges of cheating the general public by Satish Kumbhani, promoter of Bitconnect Coin, by alluring people to invest in the firm in 2017-18. 

Thereafter, Satish Kumbhani abruptly closed the sale of Bitconnect Coin and its landing platform in January 2018 and fled after swindling public money.

The ED investigation revealed that Shailesh Bhatt, in order to recover his investment from Satish Kumbhani, kidnapped two of his employees and extorted 2,091 Bitcoins, 11,000 LiteCoins, and ₹14.50 crore in cash for the release of the kidnapped staff.

The investigation also revealed that Shailesh Bhatt distributed the proceeds of crime to his accomplices in lieu of their active participation in the kidnapping and extortion which was further used to purchase immovable properties, gold and other assets.

(with inputs from syndicated feed)