Seven held with fake ₹500 notes worth over ₹2.1 crore in Ahmedabad, printing module busted

In a crackdown on counterfeit currency, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, in coordination with the Surat Crime Branch, has busted an alleged fake currency printing and circulation module, arresting seven persons, including a woman, and seizing counterfeit notes with an estimated face value exceeding ₹2.10 crore.

The operation was carried out in the Amraiwadi area of the city by a team led by Police Inspector S J Jadeja of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, along with officers from the Surat Crime Branch under PI Jhala. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the team intercepted a Toyota Fortuner vehicle and detained its occupants, leading to a large cache of fake Indian currency notes. 

Of the accused, six were detained from Ahmedabad, while one from Surat, it was revealed during investigation all hail from Surat District. A team of Detection of Crime Branch, Ahmedabad, was also sent to send to Surat from further investigation. 

Officials said over 42,000 counterfeit notes of ₹500 denomination were recovered during the investigation. Printing equipment and other materials allegedly used in the production of fake currency were also seized from the accused.

“The seizure is significant both in terms of volume and the organised nature of the operation. The module appears to have been involved not only in printing but also in circulating the counterfeit notes,” a senior Crime Branch officer said.

Police sources indicated that the total face value of the seized counterfeit notes is estimated to be over ₹2.10 crore, though the exact figure will be confirmed after completion of counting and panchnama procedures, which are expected to take time.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused were operating as part of a coordinated network, with roles divided between printing, transportation and distribution of the fake currency. The involvement of multiple locations is also being probed.

During the raid in Surat, officials recovered material which were used in the printing the fake notes, it was suspected that the printing took place at a factory in Surat. 

“All seven accused have been taken into custody and further interrogation is under way to ascertain the source of raw materials, distribution channels and possible interstate links,” officials said.

The authorities have also launched efforts to trace whether any counterfeit notes from this batch had already entered circulation in the market.

Police said detailed information regarding the case, including the identities of the accused and the extent of the network, will be shared after the registration of a formal complaint and completion of initial legal procedures.

The panchnama and counting of seized currency were ongoing at the time of filing this report.