Post News Network
Nayagarh, Dec 5: Police here seized counterfeit notes of Rs 500 denomination from two persons of neighbouring West Bengal and arrested them on the charge of making an attempt to circulate them Saturday.
The accused were Zalil Khan (55), son of Jubed Khan of Naudar in Murshidabad district, and his nephew Pintu Sheikh (22), son of Aulad Khan.
Eighty two fake notes of Rs 500 denomination, a mobile phone, a train ticket and a voter identity card of Zalil were seized from their possession, said superintendent of police (SP) Manoranjan Mohanty during a press meet at Town Police station here Saturday. This is the first of its kind incident in this district.
The accused are suspected to be members of a gang circulating counterfeit notes, Mohanty said, adding their links with an international racket cannot be ruled out.
During interrogation, the duo admitted to have brought the notes from one Majid Khan of Nauda area in exchange of genuine notes amounting Rs 21,000. Police are verifying their statements and have formed a special squad which will soon leave for West Bengal and carry out a probe. The squad will try to trace the kingpin of the racket, the SP said.
Pintu was earlier hawking goods in Daspalla of the district and was well acquainted with various locations in the area. He and his uncle arrived at Cuttack by train and reached here Friday evening.
After alighting from a bus here, they gave some fake notes to a shopkeeper to buy mustard oil and toothpaste. The shopkeeper raised doubt on the authenticity of the notes and turned them away.
A few minutes later, Zalil purchased toothpaste from the same shop and handed over an original Rs 100 denomination note to the shopkeeper. However, the shopkeeper alerted locals suspecting the motives of the buyer.
As locals caught hold of the duo, the latter threw away the bag containing the fake notes. However, locals retrieved the bag and informed policemen on patrol duty.
The duo was arrested after it was confirmed by a bank that the notes were counterfeit.
A case was registered while further investigation is on, police said. PNN
