Gujarat HC Grants Bail To Pradip Jotangiya In ₹2.20 Crore Fake Currency Case
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The Gujarat High Court has granted regular bail to Pradipbhai Jotangiya, arrested in connection with an alleged counterfeit currency racket involving more than ₹2.20 crore in fake ₹500 notes seized in Ahmedabad. While granting relief, the court noted that the accused had no prior criminal antecedents, had been in custody since March 19, 2026, and that the charge-sheet had already been filed.
The court also observed, after examining the charge-sheet and WhatsApp chats, that the alleged attempt by a group of middle-aged individuals appeared “absolutely amateurish”.
Court Notes No Prior Criminal Record, Charge-Sheet Filed
Jotangiya had approached the High Court with a successive application for regular bail in the case registered at the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) police station in Ahmedabad.
His counsel argued that the investigation had progressed to the filing of the charge-sheet and that keeping the applicant in custody indefinitely would serve no useful purpose.
The State opposed the application, citing the seriousness of the allegations involving the production and circulation of counterfeit currency.
After considering the material placed before it, the High Court granted bail to Jotangiya.
Police Seized 44,053 Fake ₹500 Notes Worth Over ₹2.20 Crore
According to the prosecution, the accused allegedly conspired in November 2025 to print counterfeit Indian currency notes. They reportedly procured a printer, laptop and cutting machine and used them to produce fake ₹500 notes at the residence of co-accused Mukesh Thummar.
The prosecution alleged that the accused knew the notes were counterfeit but planned to circulate them as genuine currency.
On March 18, 2026, the accused allegedly arrived in Ahmedabad with the intention of circulating or otherwise disposing of the notes. Police apprehended co-accused persons on a public road in the Amraiwadi area while they were allegedly carrying counterfeit currency.
A total of 44,053 counterfeit notes, with a face value exceeding ₹2.20 crore, along with other items, were seized, according to the case details.
Accused Claimed Money Was Meant For Social Welfare
According to police, the accused claimed that the operation was intended to raise funds for social welfare activities of the Surat-based Shri Satyam Yog Foundation.
The court, while examining the charge-sheet papers and WhatsApp conversations, made a prima facie observation that the alleged attempt appeared to be an amateurish effort by middle-aged individuals who may have intended to do something good but had resorted to illegal means.
The court also noted that the attempt to circulate the counterfeit notes had failed so poorly that one designated circulator allegedly returned the fake currency.
Bail Granted With Strict Conditions
The High Court ordered Jotangiya’s release on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, along with two sureties of the same amount.
The relief is subject to conditions, including surrendering his passport, regularly reporting to the local police station and not leaving Gujarat without prior permission from the court.
The case concerns allegations of counterfeiting and criminal conspiracy. The allegations against the accused remain subject to trial.
