Major Breakthrough: Punjab Police Bust Interstate Fake Currency Network with Rs 10 Crore Recovery

The perpetrators strategically positioned authentic currency notes on the exterior of bundles while concealing counterfeit notes within.

Authorities have dismantled an interstate counterfeit currency operation in Punjab's Mohali district, seizing a combined total of Rs 9,99,05,000 in fake and demonetized currency on Friday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of SAS Nagar, Harmandeep Hans, confirmed the arrest of two individuals identified as Sachin and Gurdeep, both residents of Kurukshetra, Haryana.

According to SSP Hans, police acted upon intelligence regarding the movement of two suspects connected to an interstate network involved in distributing counterfeit currency. Special teams were formed under the leadership of Superintendent of Police (SP) Rural Manpreet Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar.

These teams established a checkpoint near the PWD Rest House, Ghaggar Bridge, along the Old Ambala-Kalka Highway, where they intercepted the suspects traveling in a white Scorpio vehicle.

The authorities recovered a substantial combination of currency including:

Original Currency Seized:

- Rs 7,42,000 in old Rs 1,000 notes

- Rs 3,50,000 in old Rs 2,000 notes

- Rs 13,000 in new Rs 500 notes

Total Original Currency: Rs 11,05,000

Counterfeit Currency Seized:

- 80 bundles of old Rs 1000 notes (approximately Rs 80 lakh)

- 60 bundles of new Rs 500 notes (approximately Rs 30 lakh)

- 439 bundles of Rs 2000 notes (approximately Rs 8 crore 78 lakh)

Total Fake Currency: Approximately Rs 9,88,00,000

SSP Hans revealed that preliminary interrogation indicated the accused would place genuine notes on the outside of bundles while filling the interior with counterfeit notes to deceive victims. They had successfully defrauded numerous individuals across Punjab and neighboring states and possessed criminal backgrounds involving previous cases of fraud and counterfeit currency distribution.

An FIR had been previously registered against the accused in October for defrauding a Mohali resident of Rs 7 crore. Several additional cases with similar operational tactics have been documented against them in Rajasthan and other states, according to SSP Hans.

A new case has been registered under Sections 318(4), 178, 179, 180, and 182 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Dera Bassi. The investigation continues to develop.