NEW DELHI: What started as a routine cash deposit at a Gandhi Nagar bank has led Delhi Police to an interstate counterfeit currency racket spread across four states, with the trail running from the capital’s busy garment market to Jharkhand, Bihar and finally Malda in West Bengal.
Delhi Police has arrested two men in connection with the interstate counterfeit currency network and recovered 187 fake Rs 500 notes worth Rs 93,500.
A complaint was received from a private bank on August 22 regarding the detection of 18 counterfeit Rs 500 notes deposited by customer Nafis Ahmed, a resident of Gandhi Nagar.
Ahmed disclosed that on August 21, Danish, who had earlier visited his shop, had purchased clothes worth around Rs 17,200 and made the payment in cash. When Nafis deposited Rs 90,000 at the bank, the 18 counterfeit Rs 500 notes were detected, a senior police officer said.
The next day, Ahmed informed police that Danish had again visited the Gandhi Nagar market and was present at a nearby shop. Police reached the spot and apprehended him. Danish disclosed his involvement in the circulation of counterfeit currency. A case was lodged at Gandhi Nagar police station and accused Mohammad Danish was arrested, Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern Range) Milind Mahadeo Dumbere said.
Danish disclosed that he had allegedly procured counterfeit currency having a face value of Rs 30,000 against Rs 10,000 in genuine currency from one Guddu, a resident of Jharkhand. He further disclosed that he used to bring counterfeit currency to the Gandhi Nagar market and circulate it through small cash purchases at different shops.
A team was formed and an interstate operation extending to Bodh Gaya, Gaya district, Bihar, in coordination with the local police was carried out. On August 26, police traced the alleged supplier, Mohammad Meraj alias Guddu, and nabbed him. A total of 169 counterfeit Rs 500 currency notes were seized, Dumbere stated.
Guddu disclosed that he had procured counterfeit currency from Mama alias Chhotu and Bhaiya Ji, stated to be operating from Malda in West Bengal. He further disclosed that he had allegedly purchased counterfeit currency worth around Rs 1.5 lakh for Rs 60,000.
Mohammad Danish (35), a resident of Gaya in Bihar, was allegedly involved in procuring and circulating counterfeit currency in the Gandhi Nagar market. He allegedly procured counterfeit currency and circulated it by making small cash purchases at different shops.
Mohammad Meraj alias Guddu (36), a resident of Jharkhand, was also allegedly involved in the procurement and supply of counterfeit currency. Guddu was previously found involved in two cases lodged in Bihar.
The investigation has established important inter-state leads connecting Delhi with Bihar, Jharkhand and Malda, West Bengal. The role of Mama and Bhaiya Ji is being verified. Further efforts are underway to trace the original source of the counterfeit currency, identify other members of the network, establish the complete supply chain and ascertain the extent of circulation, he added.
