Fake currency racket: Key accused held in Odisha

In a crackdown, police arrested a man, who is the key accused, in connection with alleged circulation of counterfeit currency, on Monday. Based on the crucial information provided by an earlier apprehended person, Chandramani Bal was taken into custody from Dasarathpur locality in Jajpur district.

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A search of his residence revealed counterfeit currency, the face value of which is around Rs 2,72,800. The key accused was using a colour printer for printing the fake notes and a glass to cut them to required size.

The bogus currency was reportedly disseminated across numerous districts within the State and beyond Odisha's borders, a senior cop from Dasarathpur police station said.

Key accused is a history-sheeter

Earlier, on May 10, a youth was arrested after attempting to make a purchase with counterfeit notes at a shop. Police recovered Rs 7,000 in forged notes from him, which ultimately led to the arrest of Chandramani Bal as investigations proceeded.

“Accused Chandramani is a history-sheeter and was previously arrested by Andhra Police in a similar case. He has been doing this illegal activity for the last several years,” Bhadrak SDPO, Bichitrananda Sethi stated in a presser.

Worth mentioning, a suspected fake currency racket came to the light in Bhadrak district on May 10 when two young men allegedly attempted to purchase goods using counterfeit currency in the bustling Ananda Bazaar locality.

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 locals.

According to eyewitness accounts, the two youths approached a shop in Ananda Bazaar and tried to buy items using Rs 200 note. The shopkeeper, noticing something suspicious about the texture and print of the currency note, chose to verify its authenticity.

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On showing the received note to nearby shopkeepers and customers, it was confirmed that the note was indeed fake and was not a legal tender.