India: ED Arrests Notorious Hacker 'Sriki' in Cybercrime Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested cyber hacker Srikrishna Ramesh alias Sriki and two others, identified as Robin Khandelwal and Sunish Hegde, in a money laundering case related to cybercrime. The ED has been granted ten days' custody of the accused, who are alleged to have stolen bitcoin and violated NDPS provisions.

The case stems from multiple FIRs and chargesheets filed by Karnataka Police against Sriki and others, alleging offences such as hacking of national and international websites, extortion, and violation of NDPS provisions.

The ED claimed that Sriki and his accomplices were involved in various cybercrime offences, including hacking of websites and wallets to steal virtual digital assets, hacking of websites to steal data and money, and sale of stolen assets through crypto trading platforms.

The case took a political turn after ED's searches covered premises of Mohammed Harris Nalapad and his brother Omar Farook Nalapad, sons of Karnataka MLA NA Haris. Mohammed Harris Nalapad denied all charges and questioned the timing of the searches.

The court will likely hear the case in the coming days, with the ED expected to submit its report and the accused to respond to the charges. The Karnataka Police will also continue to investigate the matter and provide evidence to the ED.