In a major crackdown on organised financial crime, Chandigarh Police have unearthed a sophisticated inter-state fake currency racket operating from the City Beautiful, arresting five accused and recovering counterfeit notes worth more than ₹7.17 lakh. The operation has exposed an alarming network that was printing and circulating forged Indian currency across multiple northern states.
According to police officials, the accused were found in possession of 1,777 fake currency notes in denominations of ₹500, ₹200 and ₹100. The seized counterfeit notes are estimated to have a total face value of ₹7,17,400. Alongside the fake currency, police also confiscated a car and a large cache of equipment used in the illegal operation, including high-end printers, laptops, tablets, specialised printing ink, paper and other tools required for producing counterfeit notes.
Investigations have revealed that the gang was not limited to Chandigarh alone but had extended its operations across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. The group had allegedly been supplying fake currency into local markets for a considerable period, posing a serious threat to the financial system and public trust.
One of the most concerning aspects of the case is the profile of the accused. Police sources confirmed that some members of the gang are well-educated, with a few having completed B.Com degrees while others are currently pursuing BBA courses. This has raised serious questions about the misuse of technical knowledge and access to modern equipment for criminal activities.
The case has been registered at the Crime Police Station, Sector-11, Chandigarh, under Sections 178, 179, 180 and 181 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which deal with counterfeiting currency and related offences. Police officials said further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain, identify additional accomplices and determine the scale of circulation of the fake notes.
Senior police officers stated that the bust marks a significant success in the fight against economic offences and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone involved in counterfeiting activities. They also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious currency transactions to the authorities.
The seizure is being seen as a major blow to counterfeit currency networks operating in North India and highlights the growing sophistication of such rackets in the digital age.
