Motihari: The kingpin of an international counterfeit currency syndicate active along the India-Nepal border, Daya Tiwari alias Sushil Tiwari, was arrested on Sunday near Motihari by a joint team of the Army intelligence unit of Lucknow, STF and local police. He had been evading arrest for the last six months.
Major Blow to Counterfeit Network
Superintendent of police (SP), East Champaran, Swarn Prabhat, said the arrest has dealt a major blow to the international fake currency gang operating along the India-Nepal border. According to STF sources, Daya is the son of Mahendra Tiwari and a resident of Khairwa in Sitamarhi district.
A press note issued by the STF said Rs4,050 in cash and a mobile phone were recovered from Daya’s possession. A case was filed against him at Haraiya police station in East Champaran on Feb 1, 2026, under various sections of the IPC.
Previous Arrests and Revelations
Police said on Jan 31, eight suppliers of fake currency, including a Nepalese citizen, were arrested, and Rs25 lakh in counterfeit Nepalese currency and Rs18,500 in fake Indian notes were recovered from them. Police also recovered 12 mobile phones, passports, a bike, papers used in making the fake currency and other equipment.
All the arrested persons, in their statements to police, said Daya is the kingpin of the racket and that they were working for him. They said he operated from Bangladesh, Nepal and different Indian states. They also said Daya had been involved in the printing, supply and circulation of fake currency for a long time.
Technical Surveillance Led to Arrest
The SP said Army intelligence unit and the STF had been closely monitoring his activities and that he was arrested based on technical surveillance and intelligence inputs. The SP added that during interrogation, Daya made several important revelations related to the counterfeit currency network. Based on information provided by him, other members of the gang were being identified.
The arrest underscores the ongoing efforts to dismantle cross-border criminal networks involved in counterfeit currency operations. Further investigations are underway to trace additional links and assets associated with the syndicate.
