MBBS Doctor Transforms Medical Career into Multi-State Fake Currency Operation in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal authorities have uncovered a sophisticated counterfeit currency operation masterminded by an unlikely figure - a qualified MBBS doctor who previously worked as a government medical officer.

What started as a simple police raid in a rural Khandwa village has unraveled into one of Madhya Pradesh's most extensive fake currency networks. Dr. Pratik Navlakhe, 43, along with three accomplices, was arrested following extensive police investigation that revealed a criminal enterprise spanning multiple states.

The Khandwa Police announced the breakthrough last Friday after tracking the operation to a rented apartment in Bhopal where the counterfeiting setup was discovered. Investigators found that Dr. Navlakhe, who once held respected positions at Burhanpur District Hospital, had transformed his medical background into a cover for criminal activities.

According to police reports, the doctor established a sophisticated printing operation in Bhopal's Gokuldham Society, complete with printers, scanners, cutters, and specialized dyes. The counterfeit currency, primarily Rs 500 notes, has reportedly been circulated across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, with authorities estimating nearly Rs 40 lakh in fake notes distributed so far.

The investigation began on November 2 when local police received intelligence about a maulana named Zuber Ansari who had potentially hidden counterfeit currency in Khandwa. A subsequent raid yielded Rs 19.78 lakh in fake Rs 500 notes along with counterfeiting equipment. The notes featured substandard security threads and inconsistent printing quality.

Recognizing the magnitude of the case, Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Rai formed a Special Investigation Team led by ASP Mahendra Taranekar. Their investigation revealed that Ansari was merely a "carrier manager" in a larger operation controlled from Bhopal.

On November 23, the SIT conducted a raid at Gokuldham Society in Bhopal, where they discovered the full counterfeiting operation. Dr. Navlakhe was arrested alongside associates Gopal alias Rahul (35), Dinesh Gore (43), and authorities seized extensive counterfeiting equipment and financial documents.

The investigation uncovered that the criminal network originated within Khandwa District Jail, where the suspects met while serving sentences for various offenses. Upon release, they reunited to establish this counterfeiting enterprise. Ironically, Dr. Navlakhe had previously fallen victim to fraud himself, losing Rs 5 lakh in a gold scam in Kolkata.

To facilitate their operation, the gang established a fake travel agency on Hoshangabad Road in Bhopal. While appearing legitimate from the outside, the business served as a front for recruiting agents, laundering counterfeit notes, and coordinating distribution to Nagpur, Malegaon, and Jalgaon.

ASP Taranekar explained, "Dr. Pratik Navlakhe was identified as the mastermind. We formed an SIT and traced him to Bhopal. In Gokuldham Society, we found three men and a fully active currency-printing setup. These people met in jail. They used to print four Rs 500 notes on a single sheet. The notes were circulated in various states. Till now, around Rs 40 lakh has been printed. They even tried printing Rs 50 notes earlier. The maulana's role was limited as he collected money and found buyers. The doctor had earlier escaped on the Char Dham Yatra to avoid arrest."