Inter-state fake currency racket busted; 2 arrested, Rs 9.95 crore seized in Dera Bassi

Police arrested two individuals after busting an inter-state fake currency module and recovered Rs 9 crore 99 lakh 5 thousand in fake and demonetised notes. Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Hans said the accused have been identified as Sachin, a resident of Pehowa, Kurukshetra; and Gurdeep, a resident of Gurdev Nagar, Kurukshetra.

A tip-off was received regarding the movement of two suspects linked to an interstate syndicate involved in circulating fake currency. A naka was laid near PWD Rest House, Ghaggar Bridge on the Old Ambala-Kalka Highway and the suspects were intercepted while travelling in a white SUV, leading to the recovery of Rs 11,05,000 in original demonetised currency and Rs 9 crore 88 lakh in duplicate currency.

Rs 7,42,000 in old Rs 1,000 notes, Rs 3,50,000 in old Rs 2,000 notes, and Rs 13,000 in new Rs 500 notes — making a total of Rs 11,05,000 in original currency — was seized.

Eighty bundles of old Rs 1,000 notes (around Rs 80 lakh), 60 bundles of new Rs 500 notes (around Rs 30 lakh), and 439 bundles of Rs 2,000 notes (approximately Rs 8 crore 78 lakh) — making a total of about Rs 9 crore 88 lakh in fake or duplicate currency — were seized. Initial interrogation revealed that the accused had been placing original notes on the outside of each bundle while stuffing fake notes inside to cheat buyers.

Dera Bassi DSP Bikramjeet Singh Brar said, “They have duped several people in Punjab and neighbouring states and have a criminal background, including prior cases of cheating and handling counterfeit currency. A case dated 01/10/2025 under Sections 406, 420 and 120-B of the IPC — relating to the cheating of Rs 7 crore in 2023 from a Mohali resident — has been registered against them at Police Station Phase-1. Several other cases with a similar modus operandi have also been registered against them in Rajasthan and other states.”

A fresh case has been registered on November 13, under Sections 318(4), 178, 179, 180, and 182 of the BNS at Dera Bassi Police Station. Further investigation is underway and more arrests are likely.