Ahmedabad police bust counterfeit currency racket, seize fake notes worth ₹28.94 lakh, six held

The Ahmedabad City Police have unearthed an alleged counterfeit currency manufacturing and distribution network operating from the Vatva area, seizing fake Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹28.94 lakh and arresting multiple accused allegedly involved in a conspiracy to circulate forged notes in the market.

The operation was carried out jointly by the Vatva Police and the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Zone-8, following an extensive investigation into a case registered earlier this year.

According to a police, the investigation began after a case was registered at Vatva Police Station under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to counterfeiting currency, criminal conspiracy and related offences. 

Investigators alleged that a group led by Imran Sabbir Sindha, who is now deceased, had established a counterfeit currency manufacturing unit at a rented house in Satej Homes, Vatva, from March this year. Police claim the accused used printers, computers and other equipment to produce fake ₹500 notes and subsequently circulated them through various channels.

During the course of the investigation, officers reportedly recovered evidence suggesting that counterfeit notes with a face value of nearly ₹60 lakh had been printed by the syndicate.

Police said that after the death of the alleged kingpin, several associates fled with counterfeit notes, printing equipment and electronic devices used in the operation. Subsequent raids and technical surveillance led investigators to locations in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, where the suspects had allegedly hidden the forged currency and machinery.

As part of the crackdown, police recovered counterfeit Indian currency notes worth approximately ₹28.94 lakh. The seizure is one of the largest recoveries of fake currency reported in Ahmedabad in recent months.

Those arrested in the case include Suraj Sahani, 20, originally from Bihar; Ravikumar Shah, 23, also from Bihar; Virendrasingh alias Viru Baghel, 25, from Uttar Pradesh; Chandramohan Sharma, 23, from Uttar Pradesh; and a juvenile in conflict with the law. Police have also arrested Merajbhai Kursibhai Rabari, 49, a resident of Banaskantha district, on the basis of technical evidence gathered during the investigation.

According to police records, the deceased accused, Imran Sindha, had previously been booked in counterfeit currency cases in both Gujarat and Surat. Investigators also stated that Merajbhai Rabari had earlier been convicted in a counterfeit currency case registered in Banaskantha.

Officials said the accused allegedly worked in concert to manufacture forged ₹500 denomination notes and introduce them into circulation through unsuspecting individuals and commercial transactions.

Police said efforts are underway to establish the full extent of the network, identify additional beneficiaries and determine how much counterfeit currency may have entered circulation. Further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.

Officials described the operation as a significant breakthrough in preventing counterfeit currency from entering the financial system and said investigations into the interstate links of the racket are continuing