NIA Arrests 2 key Accused In ₹17.29-Cr Fake Note Case
The accused, identified as Ajay Kumar and Harish Rounta, were allegedly involved in printing and supplying large quantities of fake currency notes: Reports
NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two alleged key conspirators in connection with the recovery of counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore from a Punjab National Bank (PNB) currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The accused, identified as Ajay Kumar and Harish Rounta, were allegedly involved in printing and supplying large quantities of fake currency notes that reached the bank's currency chest through other accused persons, the agency said on Thursday.
While Ajay Kumar was arrested from Ambala in Haryana on October 16, Rounta was arrested from Manali in Himachal Pradesh on October 22.
The agency said the two were close associates of arrested accused Adesh Choudhary and other persons allegedly involved in the conspiracy.
The case came to light on August 29 when Saharanpur police received information about the recovery of counterfeit currency notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore from PNB's currency chest at Civil Lines.
The alleged involvement of three bank employees also surfaced during the inquiry, following which the bank suspended them.
Saharanpur police initially registered a case on August 29 under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against three accused. The NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case on September 3.
The agency had earlier arrested five accused — Amit Kumar, Adesh Choudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Rajender and Nitu — in September.
The NIA said further investigation was underway to establish the full extent of the conspiracy and identify the remaining accused and suspects.