Bhadrak Fake Currency Case Leads to Odisha Police Busting Widespread Racket

A significant counterfeit currency operation was exposed in Odisha following the arrest of an individual caught attempting to use fake notes in Bhadrak on May 10. The arrest led police to uncover a large-scale fake currency network, with authorities recovering fake notes worth Rs 2.72 lakh from the mastermind’s house in Jajpur district.

Police Raid Reveals Tools and Fake Currency Worth Rs 2.72 Lakh

The investigation began when a man was spotted using a suspicious Rs 200 note at a shop in Bhadrak. Locals immediately raised an alarm, prompting the shopkeeper to detain one of the two men involved. The police were called to the scene, and the suspect was handed over for questioning. His detention proved critical in uncovering the larger network behind the counterfeit notes.

Further investigation led to the arrest of the suspected mastermind, Chandramani Bal, a history-sheeter with a prior record of counterfeit currency offenses. According to Bhadrak SDPO Bichitrananda Sethi, Bal had been involved in a similar crime in Andhra Pradesh and had been running the counterfeit currency racket for several years. He distributed fake currency across multiple districts in Odisha and neighboring areas.

Acting on the detained man’s testimony, Dasarathpur police raided Chandramani’s residence, where they discovered counterfeit currency notes, a colour printer, and cutting tools used to manufacture the fake notes. The operation was highly organized, with the counterfeit notes carefully printed and trimmed, ready to be circulated into the market. Authorities seized fake currency worth Rs 7,000 from the individual caught in Bhadrak, which helped them trace the operation back to its source in Jajpur.

The counterfeit currency racket was well-established, spreading across various parts of Odisha. Police are now expanding their investigation to identify other members of the network and assess the full scale of the operation. The case has raised concerns about the growing circulation of fake currency in the state, and authorities are taking steps to prevent further illegal distribution of counterfeit notes.

This breakthrough in Odisha’s fight against fake currency has underlined the importance of community vigilance, as the local residents’ swift action in Bhadrak led to a major disruption in the counterfeit currency network. With the investigation still ongoing, authorities are hopeful of dismantling the entire racket and bringing all those involved to justice.