ED raids Bengaluru sites linked to Congress MLA' sons in crypto theft case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday conducted searches at multiple locations in Bengaluru, including premises linked to the two sons of Karnataka Congress MLA NA Haris and the grandson of a former Union minister, among others, in connection with a cryptocurrency-linked money laundering case.

Around 12 locations associated with Mohammed Haris Nalapad and Omar Farook Nalapad, the MLA’s sons, as well as alleged crypto hacker Srikrishna Ramesh, also known as Sriki, were raided by the central agency. The searches are part of an ongoing probe into suspected laundering of proceeds generated through illegal crypto transactions.

According to officials, the case stems from Karnataka Police FIRs and chargesheets related to a 2017 hacking incident involving national and international websites, in which bitcoins were allegedly stolen by Sriki and his associates.

Mohammed Haris and Omar Farook are suspected to be beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime. Investigators believe that bitcoins hacked from a Dubai-based crypto exchange were routed to the Nalapads, with the ED tracking the digital trail.

The ED also raided the residence of Mohammed Hakeeb Khan in Bengaluru. He is the grandson of former Union Minister K Rehman Khan. Officials suspect suspicious money transfers through his bank accounts, prompting the searches. Transactions between Hakeeb Khan and Sriki are also under the scanner as part of the broader probe.

The case had earlier been probed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The action, however, drew sharp criticism from the ruling Congress. Reacting to the raids, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that central agencies such as the Income Tax Department, ED and CBI are being used as political tools by the BJP.

He questioned the timing of the action and said the reasons behind the raids remain unclear, adding that clarity would emerge only after the ED files a chargesheet. Kharge also claimed that the ED has a conviction rate of only 2 per cent and described the agency as a “puppet” of the BJP-led government.

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