Fake currency racket busted, 4, including Nepali citizen arrested

New Delhi, Oct 25 (UNI) In a prized catch in its drive against fake currency, police busted an international gang and arrested four people, including a Nepali citizen, and seized counterfeit Indian currency notes worth nearly four lakhs.

The seized currency, of high quality, was in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, said the police.

Among those arrested was Mohammad Shamim (35), who hails from Birganj, Nepal. Others arrested were prime accused Mohammad Murtza alias Samir (29), Shoaib Ali (48) and Dilawar Singh (47).

Md Murtaza had earlier been arrested in a counterfeit currency case and had recently formed a new gang. He was arrested on October 14 from Shivaji Palace in Rajouri Garden, near BSES Power house, along with a polythene bag containing Rs two lakh in the denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.

During interrogation Mohammad Murtza disclosed that he started this 'business' two years back after coming in contact with one Kolkata resident Imtiaz alias Taj. In January this year he was arrested with fake currency worth Rs 65,000.

Later, he came in contact with Shamim of Nepal. Subsequently, he was joined by one Dilawar, a money lender, and his uncle Sohaib, a tailor, from Uttam Nagar who would supply these currency notes.

Both have been arrested.

Dilawar told that he would receive counterfeit currency from Murtaza and Shamim who is a resident of Nepal.

Shamim was later arrested from the ISBT where he had come to deliver counterfeit currency. His search led to the seizure of fake currency worth Rs 150,000 in denomination of Rs 500.

Md Shamim disclosed that he used to get these notes from Bangladesh and would supply them to several people in Bihar and at the Indo-Nepal border at Raxaul.

While he used to supply counterfeit currency in Bihar, UP and Delhi, Md Murtaza used to supply them in Delhi and in Kolkata.

The curency would be sold at half its face value, he added.

More raids were being conducted at different places out of those involved in this racket, police added.

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