The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday seized fake notes, currency printing paper, printer and digital gadgets in raids conducted across four states to bust Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) rackets in various parts of the country.
The NIA teams cracked down at Shahjahanpur in UP and other places including Maharashtra, Bihar and Karnataka.
The raids were conducted as part of the NIA investigation in a case registered on November 24, 2023. The case relates to a larger conspiracy hatched by suspected individuals for trafficking of FICN across the borders and for promoting its circulation across various states of India.
Sources said that the raids began from the premises of Vivek Thakur alias Aditya Singh in Shahjahanpur district and was simultaneously conducted at the house belonging to Mahendar in Ballari district of Karnataka, and other suspects Shiva Patil alias Bhimrav in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra and Shashi Bhushan in Rohtas district of Bihar.
“The searches led to the seizure of FICN of face value of Rs 6,600 (in denomination of Rs 500, Rs 200 and Rs 100), along with currency printing papers from the house of Vivek Thakur.
He along with Shiva Patil of Maharashtra and others used to procure fake currency and its printing accessories from the bordering countries, for circulation across India,” the NIA said.
The NIA investigations further revealed that Rahul Tanaji Patil was using fraudulently obtained SIM cards to take payments by promising to supply fake currency notes. The search at Mahender’s house led to the seizure of a printer used for printing FICN.
Investigations would continue in the case, the NIA said.
