Counterfeit currency racket busted at Karnataka-Maharashtra border
- Counterfeit currency racket busted at Karnataka-Maharashtra border.
- For Rs1 lakh original currency Rs 10 lakh counterfeit currency exchanged.
- Four arrested, including the Kingpin Ranjit Patil, through agent Lakkappa from Chikkodi.
- Counterfeit currency supplied from Pakistan, reaches India through Nepal.
FollowThe denotification was implemented with the aim of curbing black money and counterfeit currency. However, both are thriving unchecked. The Suvarna News - Kannada Prabha Cover Story team discovered that lakhs of rupees of counterfeit currency is being exchanged between Karnataka and Maharashtra border almost on a daily basis.
The operation was dangerous and risky but completely successful. The King Pin along with 3main persons were arrested by the police, reported Kannada Prabha.
On information that counterfeit currency exchanging network was active at State and Maharashtra border, the Cover Story team contacted one agent Lakkappa at Chikkodi, Belagavi, in disguise as clients. Lakkappa fell for the bite and agreed to play the mediator. He invited to come to Chikkodi with original currency and he would exchange it for fake notes.
After the preparation the Cover Story team met Lakkappa at Chikkodi. He took them to Maharashtra border Bhij. Along the route he shared secrets of the trade. Â He said the currency was being supplied by Pakistan through Nepal. Â He said the currency is so good that even bank officials cannot make out the difference.
At Bhoj, the King Pin Ranjit Patil was waiting for the team in a big bungalow.  Ranjit patil is a seasoned trader in this business. He has been active in counterfeit currency and doubling business since 10 years. He is noted in the police documents and has connections with eminent personalities. He offered to give Rs10 lakh counterfeit currency for Rs 1 lakh original currency. For Rs 10 lakhs he was willing to give Rs 1 crore. He placed on the table one sample bundle of Rs50. The Cover Story team ‘bought’ the bundle by paying Rs 4000. The team left after assuring that the next day it would return with RS 10 lakh original notes.
The developments were informed to Belagavi SP Ravikanthe Gowda. He instructed his officers to assist the team. Chikkodi DySP B S Angadi, Sadalaga Station sub inspector Sangamesh and his staff were sent with the Cover Story team. With all preparation in place the team contacted Lakkappa, who asked the team to come by 10 am. However he arrived by 2 pm. Immediately the police arrested Lakkappa and his wife Manjula.
The same team went to Bhoj and arrested Ranjit Patil along with counterfeit currency.
