Ahmedabad Police Bust Major Counterfeit Currency Operation, Arrest Seven Including Yoga Instructor
In a significant crackdown, the Ahmedabad city crime branch on Wednesday arrested seven individuals, including a yoga instructor, and seized counterfeit currency worth Rs 2.38 crore. The accused were allegedly involved in circulating fake notes of the new Rs 500 series, which was introduced after the 2016 demonetization.
Interception and Arrests in Amraiwadi Area
The arrests were made after the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a white SUV near Torrent Power in the Amraiwadi area. The tip-off indicated that counterfeit currency was being transported from Surat to Ahmedabad. Upon inspection, police discovered bundles of fake notes concealed in bags and packaging material inside the vehicle.
The accused have been identified as Mukesh Thummar (45), Ashok Mavani (49), Ramesh Balar (47), Divyesh Rana (40), Pradip Jotangiya alias Pradip Guruji (4), Aarti Savalia (56), and Bharat Kakadiya (53), all residents of Surat. During the operation, Kakadiya attempted to flee when the vehicle halted in Amraiwadi but was later apprehended near the CTM crossroads.
Seizure of Counterfeit Notes and Forensic Confirmation
In the presence of independent witnesses, police recovered 44,053 counterfeit Rs 500 notes from the SUV. Of these, 20,078 notes were found in a backpack, while 23,975 notes were recovered from a carton. The total face value of the counterfeit currency seized in Ahmedabad alone was estimated at approximately Rs 2.10 crore.
Initial examination revealed that the notes appeared similar to genuine currency but were printed on low-quality paper with fake watermarks. A forensic team later confirmed that all the seized notes were counterfeit, validating the police's suspicions.
Surat Raid Uncovers Printing Unit and Equipment
Subsequent interrogation of the accused led to the discovery of a printing unit operating from a residential premises in Surat for the past three to four months. A crime branch team, in coordination with Surat police, conducted a raid at the location and seized an additional Rs 28 lakh in fake currency.
The raid also resulted in the confiscation of equipment used in the counterfeiting operation, including printers, a laptop, a paper-cutting machine, and a currency-counting machine. This equipment was crucial in the production of the high-quality fake notes.
Use of Technology and International Links in Counterfeiting
Investigators revealed that the operation was masterminded by Mukesh Thummar, who arranged the necessary infrastructure and raw materials. The accused allegedly sourced specialized paper resembling security thread paper with "RBI" and "Bharat" markings from Chinese suppliers through online platforms.
Furthermore, the group utilized photo-editing software and artificial intelligence tools to replicate the design and layout of genuine currency notes. One of the accused possessed technical expertise in graphic design and printing, which significantly enhanced the quality of the counterfeit notes, making them more difficult to detect.
Criminal Conspiracy and Additional Seizures
Police officials stated that the accused had conspired over the past three months and were actively seeking buyers to circulate the fake notes in the market. In addition to the counterfeit currency, authorities seized the SUV valued at around Rs 25 lakh, multiple mobile phones, identity documents, ATM cards, and a pen drive from the accused.
Legal Action Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
A case has been registered with the Detection of Crime Branch under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The charges include Sections 178, 180, 181, and 61(2), covering offenses such as counterfeiting, possession of fake currency, use of equipment for forging currency, and criminal conspiracy. This legal action underscores the seriousness of the crime and the authorities' commitment to combating financial fraud.
