Pathankot Police has been successful in removing a fake currency syndicate from Pathankot and have arrested three of its key suspects. The suspects were found to have been manufacturing and circulating counterfeit currency of low value in a rental home.
The three arrested were identified as Ajay Sharma Sharma (35) from Nehru Nagar, Mithun (36) from New Colony Nehru Nagar Pathankot and Sanjay Kumar (37) from 4 Marla quarter Ram Nagar Pathankot.
The police team was able retrieve counterfeit Indian Currency Notes, (FICN), of high-quality value. They were worth Rs. 2.52 lakh. This was in addition to one printer, ink bottles, a paper cutter machine, a paper cutting device, paper of A4 sizes used in the fabrication of the fake currency and a marker pen.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Harkamal Preet Singh Khaakh, disclosed details to the media that a tip was received by the division No. 1 police station. 1 on December 16 concerning the involvement of certain persons in the printing and circulation of FICN Pathankot. SHO division No. 1 led a police party that acted quickly. 1 Mandeep Salhotra, under the direction of DSP City Lakhwinder Sing, conducted a Nakabandi in Gahri Ahta chowk. The suspect was driving an automobile with fake Indian currency Rs. 200.
Police Station Division No. 1 Pathankot under Indian Penal Code Sections 488, 488-B and 488-C against the aforementioned suspect. The accused was also able to retrieve four thousand rupees of counterfeit Indian currency worth two hundred notes.
Ajay Sharma, the accused, revealed during the preliminary investigation that he was employed as a health inspection in the Station Health Organization in Pathankot. He began using drugs. He was stationed for 10 years in Srinagar Valley before he moved to Pathankot. After arriving in Pathankot he met Sanjay and Mithun. Both were drug addicts. Ajay made fake currency in his Pathankot rental house in Nehru Nagar and sold it on the Pathankot market through Mithun or Sunny. He also used the fake money to buy drugs from Channi Beli.
Centre ranks Punjab second in the average monthly income per household.
Ajay Sharma disclosed that fake currency amounted to Rs. A printing machine, laptops and plain white papers were found in his rental home. He also had a printer, a computer, a glue gun, and glued a tap. The search also led to the discovery of 25 ATM-cum debit cards.
SSP Khakh said that the suspects had been apprehended and would be brought before the local court. A request would also be made to further investigate the matter and to identify any other individuals involved in the incident.
Further investigations are underway to determine where the counterfeit currency notes came from. Police are also investigating the possibility that an international racket may be involved in this case.
This matter has been taken seriously by us and we are determined to end this criminal activity. SSP said that we will be taking steps to stop such criminal activities from happening.
Pathankot Police appealed for citizens to be cautious and not accept fake currency notes from anybody. Police asked for any information on fake currency to contact their local station.
