The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has issued a call for public assistance to locate Sridhar K Pujar, an ex-Central Crime Branch (CCB) inspector involved in a notable Bitcoin case, who has been on the run since attempts to arrest him were made in Bengaluru on February 27. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has taken the unusual step of releasing a public notice, offering a reward for information that leads to Pujar’s capture.
Details on the Suspect and Charges
Sridhar K Pujar, currently assigned to the Internal Security Division (ISD), is listed as the fifth accused in the First Information Report (FIR) related to the Bitcoin scam. The FIR accuses him of trying to evade arrest by nearly running over two SIT inspectors who were part of the team dispatched to apprehend him in late February.
Following this incident, the Vidhana Soudha police have charged Pujar with several offenses, including attempted murder, criminal intimidation, and assault on a public servant, among others. Additionally, Pujar has sought anticipatory bail in connection to these charges.
The Broader Context
This case gains further complexity with the backdrop of a previous arrest made four years ago. The CCB had apprehended Srikrishna, also known as Sriki, a serial hacker from Jayanagar, for hacking into state government websites and misappropriating Rs 11.5 crore, part of which was used to purchase Bitcoins and order banned substances via the Dark Web.
So far, the SIT’s efforts in the investigation have resulted in three arrests, including two former CCB officers, Prashanth Babu DM and Lakshmikanthaiah, shedding light on a broader network of illicit activities.
Call for Public Engagement
The FIU’s notice emphasizes that any tips leading to Pujar’s arrest will be rewarded, assuring confidentiality for those who come forward with information. This appeal to the public marks a significant step in leveraging community involvement to apprehend individuals accused of engaging in complex financial crimes.
As the process to declare Pujar a Proclaimed Offender under Section 82 of the CrPC is underway, the SIT and FIU hope that public participation will play a crucial role in securing his arrest, aiding in the broader effort to unravel the intricacies of the Bitcoin scam.
