Bengaluru ED raids on MLA N A Haris’ sons rekindle Bitcoin scam probe

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Apr 21, 2026: Nearly six years after the sensational Bitcoin hacking case first surfaced, fresh raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the sons of Congress MLA N A Haris have brought the case back into the spotlight.

The case dates back to November 2020, when the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of Bengaluru Police arrested Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki and his associate Robin Khandelwal for allegedly purchasing hydro ganja on the dark web using Bitcoin.

Subsequent investigations uncovered the scale of Sriki’s cybercrimes. He is accused of hacking major platforms, including the Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange Bitfinex between 2015 and 2016, siphoning off thousands of Bitcoins.

In Karnataka, Sriki allegedly exploited a remote code execution vulnerability to steal ₹11.5 crore from the state government’s e-procurement portal in 2019. Earlier, in 2017, he was accused of hacking Tumakuru-based Unocoin Technologies Pvt Ltd and stealing around 60 Bitcoins—valued at over ₹1.1 crore then and approximately ₹42 crore today.

SIT probe and arrests

In 2023, the Siddaramaiah government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case. On May 7, 2024, Sriki and Khandelwal were re-arrested in connection with the 2017 Tumakuru hack. A case under the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) was invoked, though the Karnataka High Court later quashed the charges. The duo secured bail in July 2024.

The SIT has also questioned Mohammed Haris Nalapad and his brother Omar Farook Nalapad multiple times. Senior IPS officer Sandeep Patil, who headed the CCB during the initial arrest, was also examined.

Notably, Sriki was reportedly present during the 2018 assault on Vidvat at a Bengaluru pub involving Nalapad. While Nalapad was arrested, Sriki, who was named as a suspect, allegedly absconded.

In October 2025, the SIT filed an additional chargesheet against Sriki in connection with the PokerBaazi hack case. Though allegations of political links surfaced, no politicians have been formally charged so far.

Allegations of procedural lapses

Serious concerns have been raised over the initial handling of the case by the CCB. Allegations of procedural violations led to FIRs against several police officials.

Investigators claim Sriki was illegally detained, taken to private firms without court approval, and even forced to hack websites and destroy evidence. He was also allegedly allowed unrestricted use of a private laptop during custody.

In January 2021, the CCB claimed to have recovered 31 Bitcoins worth ₹9 crore from Sriki. However, the cryptocurrency later “disappeared”, with police stating they had been deceived by the accused.

The SIT has named several officers—including suspended DySP Sridhar K Pujar and former inspectors Prashanth Babu D M, Chandradhar S R, and Lakshmikanthaiah—for allegedly violating legal procedures.

A senior SIT officer noted that poor evidence handling and breaks in the chain of custody may weaken the case. Additionally, the laundering of stolen cryptocurrency has made recovery extremely difficult, leaving the digital assets effectively untraceable.

Key accused
Srikrishna alias Sriki (hacker)
Robin Khandelwal (crypto trader/accountant)
Sunish Hegde (associate)
Sridhar K Pujar (suspended DySP)
Prashanth Babu D M (former inspector, CCB)
Chandradhar S R (former inspector, CCB)
Lakshmikanthaiah (former inspector, CCB)

Probe status
Nine cases registered
Chargesheets filed in six cases
One chargesheet pending verification
Prosecution sanction awaited in two cases