Gandhinagar:

If the whereabouts of former MLA Nalin Kotadiya, one of the accused of sensational bitcoin case are not traced even after the issue of look-out circular and non-bailable warrant, the CID-crime will go for getting him declared absconder which can lead to the attachment of his properties.

DGP – CID crime of Gujarat Police Ahsish Bhatia informed this today.

‘A look- out circular has been issued against him through which all the airports and other agencies have also been alerted to foil any attempt of Kotadiya to leave the country or travel freely. A non bailable warrant has also been issued and the CID-crime will also start the procedure of getting him declared an absconder if he does not surrender soon,’ Bhatia informed.

He said that if Kotadia is declared absconder then his property might be attached too.

CID-crime is investigating the case lodged by Surat based builder Shailesh Bhatt who was abducted in February from here under a conspiracy to fraudulently take his over 180 bitcoins worth around Rs 10 crore.

The former MLA came under the CID scanner when the agency found the money trail leading to him. According to the investigation so far, one of the main accused and former business partner of Bhatt, Kirit Paladiya had encashed 34 of the 176 Bitcoins and gave the money to Amreli police officials and Kotadiya.

CID has so far searched Kotadiya at over two dozen places including Chandigarh. Kotadiya, who did not turn up before it for the fear of arrest during interrogation was served summons earlier on.

He has left his personal phone at his Dhari residence to evade technical footprints.

DeshGujarat