Jajpur:
A fake currency racket running in Jaijpur district and other areas in Odisha was busted by police and four people were arrested. Further, police also seized fake currency notes with a face value of Rs 27.46 lakh from them.
Getting a tip off, Kaliapani police conducted a raid in Kingola village on Saturday and apprehended one Pradeep Kumar Pradhan from his house and took him to Kaliapani police station. Police also seized Rs 8200 fake Indian currency notes of Rs 100 denomination from his possession.
"Pradhan was trying to circulate the fake currency notes it in the local market, finding it to be fit place for use as the area is dominated by illiterate and innocent tribal people," said Inspector General (IG) of police, Central Range, Soumendra Priyadarshi.
Police said during interrogation, Pradhan disclosed his aide's name as Chandramani Bal who was also circulating the fake currency notes. The house of Chandramani at Chhachina village was raided by the police who then arrested him. Further, cops also seized counterfeit notes of Rs 50,000 of various denominations from his possession which was for circulation in Mangalpur and Dasarathapur areas.
During interrogation of the duo, police got vitali nformation on the fake currency circulation and conducted raids at different places in the state and arrested Rameswar Maharana alias Ramesh of Nuapada of Ganjam and seized Rs 26.16 lakh of counterfeit notes of 2000, 500 and 100 denominations.
Police said while Ramesh and Pradeep used to circulate the notes, Chandramani was preparing these counterfeit notes. "This is a very big racket and more people are involved in this crime. We have only arrested four persons.Investigation is on to apprehend other accused who areinvolved in this racket, the IG pointed out. He, however, did not reveal the name of the fourthaccused arrested in this case. A case under various section of IPC has been registered in this connection.
