Main accused in bitcoin scam not traceable

Sriki was granted bail on Nov 9, but has so far failed to appear before investigating officer

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: City police commissioner Kamal Pant has said that police personnel deputed to provide security of SriKrishna Ramesh alias Sriki, the main accused in the Bitcoin scam, were sent to his residence in Jayanagar, but he was reportedly not at home. The police have been constantly visiting his home after his bail, only to find his door locked.

Sriki is reportedly absconding after he was granted bail on November 9 by the Metropolitan Magistrate Court. According to the police, he was granted bail on a condition that he would appear before the investigation officer every Saturday without fail. However, he did not turn up this week.

“We tried calling him on his mobile phone, but it was switched off. We went to his house on Wednesday, but it was locked. We have told his kin to inform us in case they establish contact with Sriki,” a senior police officer said. The cops also conducted a recce in Sriki’s probable hideouts.

Earlier opposition leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had claimed that the accused’s life is under threat. Following the names of officials, politicians, businessmen and others connected in the case, the police had agreed to provide security to Sriki. When asked why the hacker was not under any sort of surveillance since his bail, the city police chief said, “The criminal has to abide by bail conditions. Law does not require us to follow that person who has come out on bail. Only if it is our requirement and particularly if it is a case of disturbance of peace and order; from a policing perspective, we keep a watch on certain people,” he reasoned.

At least eight cases have been registered against Sriki and police have filed the chargesheets in three, while they are probing five others, the sources said. The police have now launched a manhunt to nab the accused.