The prime accused in the multi-million fake currency racket, unearthed by Jammu and Kashmir Police recently, Thursday committed suicide by hanging himself in a police station where he was lodged, police said.
"Muneer Ahmad Manhas, son of Nazir Ahmad Manhas, resident of Kamalkote Uri (Baramulla district), prime accused in the fake currency racket unearthed by police station Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar, was found hanging in his cell," a senior police officer said.
Manhas, who was working in the Territorial Army, had used a pair of socks to hang himself after tying them together, he said, adding the tehsildar (executive magistrate) Srinagar has started inquest proceedings.
"Body of the deceased has been sent for post mortem and the principal, medical college, Srinagar has constituted a team of doctors for conducting post mortem in presence of magistrate," added the officer.
Police in Srinagar had unearthed a multi-million fake currency racket and detained some people in this connection.
Police sources told IANS that the racket was operating through pumping of fake currency notes into circulation using operatives.
Police also said the investigations have revealed a cross-Line of Control link of this racket that is intended to sustain militancy and also damage the financial system of the country.
"The investigations are still going on and disclosures to the media would be made after the case investigations are completed," a police source told IANS.
Manhas had been arrested by the city police along with 13 others after recovery of fake currency notes with the face value of Rs.8,85,000.