Bitcoin case: Centre rules out CBI probe

The Centre on Monday ruled out interfering with ongoing investigations into a Bitcoin heist case in Karnataka with a probe by the CBI or other agencies.

MoS (Finance) Pankaj Chaudhary informed JD (S) member Prajwal Revanna in the Lok Sabha that Enforcement Directorate's Bengaluru zonal unit has registered a case related to Bitcoins. The government, however, would not disclose much information as it is not in larger public interest, he said in a written reply.

The Karnataka police, the union minister said, were examining a cybercrime case involving Bitcoin, and said the Centre has no plans to hand the case to CBI as police and public order are state subjects. “States & union territories are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation & prosecution of such crimes including financial frauds through their law enforcement agencies.”


The Bitcoin heist case had triggered a war of words between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress with each side alleging the involvement of persons in the other camp.