Supriya Sule and Nana Patole used money from the scammed ‘Bitcoin’ in the assembly elections

Serious allegations by former Indian Police Service officer Ravindranath Patil
Audio recording of Supriya Sule and Nana Patole circulated on social media
Supriya Sule denies the allegations

(From left) – Supriya Sule, Ravindranath Patil, Nana Patole

Mumbai – Supriya Sule, daughter of NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar, found herself in trouble after the emergence of the ‘Bitcoin scam’ on the eve of polling in Maharashtra on Wednesday. Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole was also accused of being involved in the alleged corruption.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule and Congress state president Nana Patole used money from an alleged scam in the virtual currency ‘Bitcoin’ to campaign for the ongoing assembly elections in Maharashtra. This amount is worth crores of rupees, former Indian Police Service officer Ravindranath Patil has alleged. Ravindranath Patil made these serious allegations in an interview with news agency and has also said that he will file a petition in the court in this matter. Supriya Sule has denied these allegations and has warned of legal action in this matter. Ravindranath Patil has circulated the audio recording of Supriya Sule and Nana Patole on social media.

Maharashtra Election Controversy!

Allegations of a “Bitcoin scam” have surfaced against NCP leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, claiming they misappropriated bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to fund election campaigns

Former IPS… pic.twitter.com/huTQuWTbbZ

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) November 20, 2024

Supriya Sule and Nana Patole used ‘Bitcoin’ for Lok Sabha and Maharashtra elections

Ravindranath Patil said, Gaurav Mehta of an auditing firm called ‘Sarathan’ contacted me 4 days ago and gave me this information. In the year 2018, I was arrested for misuse of ‘Bitcoin’. During this, I was in jail for 14 months. In fact, the misuse of Bitcoin was done by Police Officer Amitabh Gupta and Police Officer Bhagyashree Navtake on the advice of Supriya Sule and Nana Patole. Supriya Sule bought ‘Bitcoin’ and used it in the Lok Sabha elections and now Bitcoin money is being used in the Maharashtra Assembly elections as well. Police officer Amitabh Bhardwaj changed the ‘wallet’ of the misused ‘Bitcoin’; however, I and my witnesses were arrested in this case. Gaurav Mehta went to Dubai and converted ‘Bitcoin’ into money for Supriya Sule and Nana Patole. This money was used for the Maharashtra elections. Supriya Sule asked Gaurav Mehta to sell ‘Bitcoin’ to herself, and told ‘not to worry about the investigation. We will solve this matter when the Maha Vikas Aghadi government comes to power’.

An audio clip, allegedly involving Patole, Sule, and former Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, was circulated on social media. It was also shared on YouTube by a BJP spokesperson. The allegations against the three were initiated after the claims by former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil.

Patil accused Sule and Patole of misappropriating Bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to fund election campaigns. He named Gaurav Mehta, who is an employee of an audit firm named Sarathi Associates as well.

“He [Gaurav Mehta] sent me some voice notes he had received on WhatsApp. There were three audio messages from Supriya Sule where she asks for cash in exchange for bitcoins. She also says that he [Gaurav Mehta] does not need to worry about inquiry, they will handle it when they come to power,” Patil said.

ED raids properties of Gaurav Mehta

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted searches at the Raipur premises of Gaurav Mehta in connection with a bitcoin transactions case, sources said. The investigation is part of a broader money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The investigation stems from police complaints filed in Maharashtra and Delhi.

BJP’s conspiracy to defame us by holding the media by the hand – Nana Patole, State President, Congress

The media, which is the fourth pillar of democracy, should systematically report on this matter by getting information. Unfortunately, our defamation is continuing maliciously on the basis of BJP’s claims. My defamation should be stopped immediately, otherwise we will have no other option but to take legal action.

Voice recording and message are fake – MP Supriya Sule

When I received the ‘voice recording’ (voice recording) regarding this, I called Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. I have filed an online complaint regarding this on 19th November. These ‘voice recording’ and messages are fake.

What is ‘Bitcoin’?

Bitcoin (BTC) is a cryptocurrency (a virtual currency) designed to act as money and a form of payment outside the control of any one person, group, or entity. This removes the need for trusted third-party involvement (e.g., a mint or bank) in financial transactions. The use of this currency for international transactions is increasing; however, this currency has not yet been recognized in India. The Reserve Bank is in the process of formulating a policy in this regard.