ELURU: Posing a challenge to those who are organising cockfights, dice and card games in clear violation of court orders, some punters are using these arenas to circulate counterfeit currency notes in the twin Godavari districts.
Though the police claim that they have not received such complaints, the cockfight organisers secretly admit that at least two per cent of the money they collected from the punters is fake currency.
The circulation of fake currency is not new in the Godavari districts, which have become convenient places to circulate the amount through cockfights. It is reliably learnt that some gangs have already distributed fake currency notes in the delta and agency areas of West Godavari district as well as Rajahmundry and its surroundings.
During the last month, the police seized fake currency worth `15,000 in Koyyalagudem and Gollapudi areas and it is now suspected that the amount was meant to be circulated during betting in the festive season.
The fake currency operators used to exchange the notes while playing cards and dice games. Besides, they have exchanged the notes during cockfights. As the punters are busy in betting, the operators mix the fake currency in the original notes. The punter, after winning, has no chance to verify the currency in the heavy crowd. This has given a chance to the operators to exchange the counterfeit currency with ease.
M Srinivas of Eluru, an organiser of cockfights, has reportedly received fake currency notes worth Rs 38,000 during cockfights last year. “I have conducted cockfights last year and got good income in the fight. When I checked the currency in the UV machine, notes to the tune of Rs 38,000 were found to be counterfeit. This year too, we organised cockfights for the last three days and wanted to arrange the UV machine at the cockfight arena itself, but could not implement it due to heavy crowds,” he added.
In the delta area of West Godavari district, the cockfight organisers arranged currency counting machines at the fighting rings. They also arranged fake currency checking machines at some arenas. In I Bhimavaram, Sisali, Vempa and other areas, the currency checking machines were used to curb fake currency circulation.
Speaking to TNIE, Jangareddigudem deputy superintendent of police J Venkat Rao did not rule out the possibility of exchange of fake notes during cockfights. “We have information about circulation of counterfeit currency during the festivities and are on alert to curb the menace in the district,” he said.