In a significant crackdown, the Ahmedabad police have apprehended three individuals in possession of a substantial amount of counterfeit currency. The arrests, made on Friday, led to the seizure of Rs 83,000 in fake Rs 500 denomination notes. A local court at the Ahmedabad rural court campus subsequently sent the accused to police remand until December 5 for further investigation.
The Interception and Arrest
Acting on a specific tip-off, the city police intercepted a vehicle that was heading towards the Shivranjani Crossroads on Friday. The information suggested that the occupants of the car were carrying fake Indian currency notes. Upon stopping the vehicle, the police team identified and nabbed the three accused: Devansh Patel, Vaibhav Patel, and Sachin Kumar Singh.
A search of the vehicle proved the tip-off correct. The police recovered a total of 166 counterfeit notes of Rs 500, amounting to Rs 83,000. Adding to the suspicious circumstances, the registration plate of the vehicle was also found to be false. During preliminary questioning, the trio revealed their plan was to use the fake money to purchase mobile phones from various online trading platforms.
Unraveling the Source and Police Custody
The investigation took a crucial turn when the accused disclosed the source of the counterfeit notes. They claimed to have acquired the fake currency from a contact based in Kolkata, identified as Abhishek Pande. This revelation points to a potentially wider inter-state network involved in the circulation of fake money.
Following the arrests, the police produced the three men before a magisterial court on Saturday. The investigators filed for a 14-day custodial interrogation, arguing that it was essential to uncover the full extent of the racket. The remand application highlighted several key areas for investigation, including determining the exact quantity of fake notes received from Pande, identifying other victims who may have been duped by the accused, and tracing other individuals involved in the criminal network.
Ongoing Probe and Implications
The court, after considering the police application, granted remand of the accused until December 5. This custodial period will allow the Special Operations Group (SOG) or the concerned investigation team to delve deeper. The primary goals are to map the entire supply chain of the counterfeit currency, from the source in Kolkata to its intended use in Ahmedabad, and to arrest all accomplices.
This case underscores the persistent challenge of fake currency circulation in the economic system. The attempt to use the notes for online purchases highlights how digital platforms can be targeted by such fraudsters. The Ahmedabad police's proactive action based on intelligence has potentially thwarted a significant financial fraud and disrupted a segment of this illegal trade. The public is advised to remain vigilant and check the authenticity of high-value currency notes, especially during transactions.
