Four held in Pune counterfeit currency racket; printer, computer equipment seized

Vishrambaug police have arrested four men allegedly involved in a counterfeit Indian currency racket. Police also seized fake Rs 500 notes and the equipment used to make them, according to a press note issued on October 25.

The case came to light when police constables Sachin Abichke and Shailesh Surve received information that a man carrying fake notes was about to come to the Mahatma Phule Mandai in Pune. They passed this on to Police Sub-Inspector Satvayan Gaud, who informed Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagtap.

Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap at about 4:45 pm on October 18 near the Mhalsa temple behind the Mahatma Phule Mandai in Shukrawar Peth. During the operation, police caught Salman Javedin Raje, 30, a resident of Ambegaon. He was found with 808 fake Rs 500 notes, worth Rs 4.04 lakh in all.

In the further investigation, police identified three more alleged associates: Shakaj Firoz Ansari, 30, of Nalasopara; Vishal Vilas Galande, 39, of Surpurwadi in Satara district; and Abhijit Raosaheb Kamble, 30, of Shiroli in Kolhapur district. According to the press note, all three were arrested later.

Police have also seized computer equipment allegedly used to make the fake notes. It includes an Epson printer, an HP monitor, a Lenovo keyboard and mouse, and computer CPUs. The equipment is valued at about Rs 21,900.

The press note also mentions the seizure of 323 fake Rs 500 notes, valued at Rs 1,61,500, and a further 1,128 notes, valued at Rs 5,64,000.

Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagtap said the action was taken after firm information about the movement of counterfeit currency was received. The police team acted on that information, caught the suspects and seized the fake notes and equipment during the investigation.

A case has been registered at Vishrambaug police station under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023. Further investigation is under way. The operation was carried out under the guidance of senior Pune Police officers, including Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar. Staff of Vishrambaug police station took part in the investigation.