Fake notes worth lakhs found in tenant's rented flat in Nagpur's Wathoda

Counterfeit notes worth lakhs of rupees were found in a tenant's room in Chaitanyeshwar Nagar, under the Wathoda police station limits in Nagpur, causing alarm in the area. The matter came to light when the landlord opened the room. Police seized bundles of notes, a printer and other material from the spot. A case has been registered and an investigation begun.

The suspect has been named as Pushpak Bhandarkar, alias Bhendarkar, alias Bende. He lived on rent in the house of Ramesh Harde in Chaitanyeshwar Nagar. He had not returned home for the past few days and owed several months' rent. Harde had earlier complained to the Wathoda police that when asked about the rent, the tenant threatened him by showing a weapon.

When Pushpak did not come home for a long time, Harde broke the lock of his room and went in. He found bundles of paper that looked like printed notes, and a printer. He informed the police immediately. A police team reached the spot and took charge of all the material.

The search of the room turned up 500-rupee notes printed on both sides, numbering 37 lakh, according to the source figures, while 48 lakh notes were printed on only one side. Police have learnt that the suspect, Pushpak, is in Mumbai.

The one-BHK flat is on the first floor of the Three Star Co-operative Society in Wathoda. It had been rented by Pushpam Bhandarkar. It is alleged that he was not vacating the flat and was threatening Harde. When Bhandarkar did not return, Harde broke the lock of the door. He then saw notes resembling 500-rupee notes lying scattered on the sofa.

Police are now trying to find out where Bhandarkar is and where he printed the notes. They are also examining whether he is a member of a racket and who his associates are. Further investigation is on.