CBI finishes first phase of interrogation

Siddharthnagar, Oct 3 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation Team today returned to its headoffice after completing the first phase of investigation into the multi-crore State Bank of India (SBI) Dumariyaganj chest fake currency case.

The CBI was here for the past 12 days, during which the agency interrogated prime accused Sudhakar Tripathi, co-accused Abid Sheikh and other bank employees. The CBI also grilled those cloase the accused for more links.

So far, the team had cross-questioned over 24 persons, besides scanning the bank documents.

On July 29, STF of the Uttar Pradesh Police had held SBI cashier Sudhakar Tripathi and seized Rs 7,21,000, including fake notes worth Rs 5,000 from his house and later requested the RBI for currency screening in the SBI branch.

On August 5, a team of senior RBI officials reached the SBI Dumariyaganj chest and seized counterfeit Indian currency worth Rs 20 lakh in Siddharthnagar district.

After two days, the state government had ordered a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the fake currency racket, however, on realising the seriousness of the case, the government had recommended investigation by the CBI the very next day.

The CBI had finally given its nod for the case on September 16.

UNI XC-JAS MIR AS1710