Attempt to shop with fake currency foiled in Bhadrak; 1 accused held with Rs 10,000 counterfeit notes

A suspected fake currency racket came to light in Bhadrak district when two young men allegedly attempted to purchase goods using counterfeit currency in the bustling Anand Bazaar market. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, sparked commotion in the market and ended with one of the accused being caught and handed over to police by local residents.

According to eyewitness accounts, the two youths approached a shop in Anand Bazaar and tried to buy items using Rs 200 notes. The shopkeeper, noticing something suspicious about the texture and print of the currency note, chose to verify its authenticity. On showing the note to other nearby shopkeepers and customers, it was confirmed that the note was indeed fake.

“When I touched the note, I sensed something was wrong and sought opinion of a nearby shopkeeper. The youth started running, and somehow we managed to nab him and informed police. Fake notes worth around Rs 10,000 were recovered from his possession in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 100,” said Utkalmani Panda, the shopkeeper.

Realising that their act had been exposed, one of the accused youths managed to flee the spot immediately. However, the second accused was not so lucky. Local residents, angered by the attempted fraud, chased him down, apprehended him, and reportedly thrashed him before handing him over to the local police.

Soon after being informed, a police team from Bhadrak Town Police Station reached the location and took the accused into custody. A thorough search of his belongings led to the seizure of counterfeit currency amounting to Rs 10,000. The fake notes included denominations of Rs 100, Rs 200, and Rs 500.

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Preliminary interrogation by police suggests that the accused were trying to circulate fake currency in small shops where detection chances are low. Sources also indicate that the accused may be part of a larger network involved in the printing and distribution of counterfeit notes.

"We have registered a case seized fake currency has been sent for forensic examination, and efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused and the origin of these notes," said a senior police official investigating the matter.

The incident has created panic among local traders, who now fear a broader spread of counterfeit currency in the region. Many have urged the police and administration to conduct awareness drives and install currency verification tools in local markets to curb such attempts in the future.

The Bhadrak police have assured strict action and have launched a deeper investigation to unearth any larger fake currency network operating in or around the district.

Reported by: Partha Sarathi Nayak