Indian court sentences 14 to life in Bitcoin extortion case

Indian court sentences 14 to life in Bitcoin extortion case

An Indian court sentenced 14 individuals, including 11 police officials and a former BJP MLA, to life imprisonment for kidnapping and extorting cryptocurrency from Surat businessman Shailesh Bhatt in 2018. The group, led by former Amreli SP Jagdish Patel and ex-MLA Nalin Kotadiya, coerced Bhatt into transferring Bitcoin and cash, extorting $150,000. Convictions were under criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and corruption charges. The case highlights law enforcement misconduct and underscores challenges in regulating cryptocurrency in India, potentially influencing future legal and regulatory frameworks.