'Bitcoin Scam' Allegation Gains Traction In Maharashtra; Ajit Doubles Down, Supriya Files Defamation Case

A major row erupted on election day in Maharashtra as ex-IPS officer Ravindranath Patil accused NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole of using proceeds from a Bitcoin scam to fund elections. The allegations have sparked a heated political row.

Supriya Sule strongly denied the accusations on Wednesday, describing them as baseless.

Speaking to ANI, she said: "I have filed a defamation case and a criminal case. I am ready to answer his (Sudhanshu Trivedi's) five questions anywhere, anytime, on any platform. These allegations are entirely false and fabricated." She also urged voters to stay informed through live coverage of Maharashtra polling.

Adding a new twist to the controversy, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Sule's cousin, claimed he recognised her voice in the purported audio clips presented as evidence by Patil. He assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted.

"From the tone in the audio clips, I can identify the voices. One of them is my sister, and the other is someone I have worked with extensively. An inquiry will be conducted, and the truth will emerge," Pawar stated during a media interaction.

In response, Sule dismissed his remarks with a sharp retort, saying: "He is Ajit Pawar; he can say anything. 'Ram Krishna Hari.'"

Despite the allegations, Sule and her family cast their votes confidently at a polling station in Baramati.

'Baseless Allegations'

On Tuesday, Sule had already addressed the claims linking her to the alleged Bitcoin scam connected to the Maharashtra assembly elections. She expressed her willingness to participate in a public debate with any BJP representative at their chosen time and place.

"I deny all the allegations levelled against me by Sudhanshu Trivedi. All this is conjecture and innuendo, and I am ready for a debate with any representative of the BJP at a time and date of their choice, in a public forum," she wrote on X.

Patil accused Sule and Patole of misappropriating bitcoins from a 2018 cryptocurrency fraud case to finance the elections. Following these claims, the BJP released purported audio recordings they allege feature Sule and Patole conspiring to use Bitcoin for electoral manipulation.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi described the allegations as a revelation that "unmasked" the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and demanded answers from Congress and Sule.

Sule dismissed the claims as a typical pre-election misinformation tactic. She filed complaints with the Election Commission of India and Maharashtra's cybercrime department, naming Patil and Gaurav Mehta, a witness in the 2018 case, in her complaint.

The Baramati MP also announced that her legal team would initiate criminal and civil defamation proceedings against Trivedi.

"It's appalling that such baseless allegations are made by Sudhanshu Trivedi, yet not surprising as it's a clear case of spreading false information, the night before elections. My lawyer will be issuing a criminal and civil defamation notice against Sudhanshu Trivedi for making outrightly false allegations with an intent to deceive the public at large," Sule wrote on X.