10 arrested as fake currency racket busted in UP

GORAKHPUR: In a major breakthrough, Kushinagar police have busted a gang involved in circulating counterfeit currency and seized fake notes worth Rs 5.62 lakh and arrested 10 accused, all part of an organised crime syndicate.
Besides, the police also seized Rs 1.1 lakh cash, 3,000 Nepali rupees, and a huge cache of illegal arms, ammunition, and explosives during the operation.
Kushinagar SP Santosh Kumar Mishra said 10 country-made pistols (315 bore), 30 live bullets, 12 fired cartridges, 4 homemade bombs, 13 mobile phones with 26 fake SIM cards, 10 fake Aadhaar cards, 10 ATM cards, 8 laptops, and two four-wheelers which were used in the crimes were also seized from the accused. Police said other members of the gang are also on the radar and they will be nabbed soon. Some accused have political connections too, but those who have committed crimes will be punished irrespective of their connections.
According to police, the gang was highly organised, skilfully mixing fake currency with real money and circulating it through local markets. They were also engaged in illegal purchase of disputed land, intimidating locals with arms and explosives to secure property deals. These properties were later sold at inflated prices. An FIR under sections 179/62(2) BNS, 3/25 Arms Act, and 5 Explosives Act has been lodged at Tamkuhi Raj police station in this connection.