63,897 fake currency notes seized

Surat: Lalgate police detained two people after seizing 63,879 counterfeit Rs 500 currency notes that were similar to Rs 500 notes but bore the words ‘Children Bank of India' on them. The seized notes had a notional face value of Rs 3.20 crore.

The seizure occurred during night patrolling on Tuesday when a suspicious SUV with a Delhi number plate was intercepted.

On inspection, officers found three large packets containing the fake currency, concealed under 112 genuine Rs 500 notes.

Lalgate police inspector N M Chaudhary said, "We found 484 bundles of fake Rs 500 notes packed inside three boxes. The notes appeared new and were camouflaged with real currency on the top and bottom of each bundle."

The persons arrested at Mansuri Sulem Mohammad Arif and Akram Ali Shaikh.

The fake notes have been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination. Police are also investigating the motive behind possession of such a large quantity of counterfeit-like currency.

During questioning, Mansuri said a local land broker, Thakor Parmar of Rander, had handed over the notes and told them to claim that the money belonged to him if approached by a third party.