New Delhi, 22 October (H.S.): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two key accused allegedly involved in a conspiracy to circulate counterfeit Indian currency through the Punjab National Bank’s (PNB) currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

According to the investigating agency, NIA officials arrested Ajay Kumar, son of Ramesh Chand, from Ambala in Haryana on October 16, and Harish Raunta, son of Devi Chand Raunta, from Manali in Himachal Pradesh on October 22. Both are alleged to be key conspirators behind the illegal printing and distribution of large quantities of counterfeit Indian currency notes.

The investigation has revealed that the accused allegedly worked with other co-accused to channel counterfeit notes into the PNB currency chest in Saharanpur. The two men are also believed to have been close associates of other accused persons arrested earlier in this high-profile case.

The case came to light on August 29, when the Sadar Bazar police station in Saharanpur district received information that counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 17.29 crore had been recovered from the bank’s currency chest. After the alleged involvement of three bank employees emerged during the investigation, they were suspended.

A case was subsequently registered at the Sadar Bazar police station under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Given the seriousness of the matter, the NIA took over the investigation on September 3 and registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR).

The agency has since been pursuing the case to uncover the full extent of the alleged counterfeit currency operation and identify everyone involved.

Earlier, during September, the NIA arrested Amit Kumar, who was named in the FIR, along with key accused Adesh Chaudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Rajendra and Neetu. The arrests were made on September 7, 15, 20 and 22.

According to the NIA, further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other co-accused and suspects allegedly involved in the racket.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar