The Enforcement Directorate (ED) wrapped up a 21-hour search and seizure operation related to an alleged Bitcoin-linked money laundering case in Karnataka. The raids targeted properties associated with Congress leaders, including Congress MLA N.A. Haris and his son Mohammed Nalapad, the State President of Karnataka Pradesh Youth Congress. Simultaneous raids were conducted at various locations, including the residence of Aqeeb Khan, the grandson of former Union Minister K. Rahman Khan.
Officials are investigating a financial transaction of Rs 4.65 crore between Nalapad and a key figure in the case, Shreekhi. The ED is delving into allegations that Nalapad financed Shreekhi’s extravagant lifestyle, including the purchase of a Porsche car. Shreekhi is currently being questioned by ED officials, with plans to verify bank accounts.
In a peculiar turn of events, Nalapad, Shreekhi, and another individual visited a showroom in Bengaluru to purchase a Porsche car. During a test drive, Shreekhi attempted to smoke inside the car, leading to a confrontation with the showroom staff. Subsequently, the group bought and later sold the car, with financial transactions managed by Nalapad and another individual named Rishab.
The CID SIT team had previously interrogated Nalapad in connection with these transactions, raising concerns about his involvement in Shreekhi’s financial affairs. The ED’s search operations, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), spanned 12 locations in Karnataka and were carried out under the protection of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.
