Police in Bulandshahr district, Uttar Pradesh have arrested three individuals allegedly involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit currency after fake notes began circulating in the local market, officials said on 22 February 2026.
The arrests came after traders and residents in parts of Bulandshahr reported receiving sadak-market currency that did not appear genuine, prompting an investigation by the local police. Following preliminary verification, law enforcement officers confirmed that the seized currency was indeed counterfeit and linked to a small local printing operation.
Police Action and Arrests
Bulandshahr police launched a targeted operation aimed at tracing the source of the fake currency after reports surfaced of suspicious notes circulating among shopkeepers and market visitors.
Acting on specific leads, officers apprehended three accused believed to be central to the production and distribution network. The suspects — whose identities have not yet been publicly disclosed by police — were taken into custody during house-to-house searches and coordinated raids in local neighbourhoods.
Officials said that during the operation, police recovered a large quantity of fake Indian currency notes in various denominations, along with printing materials, equipment and related paraphernalia clearly linked to counterfeiting. These items are now being examined by forensic teams to help establish the full extent of the operation and trace the origin of the printing setup.
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Investigation Underway
Police have registered a formal case against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Counterfeiting Currency Act, which carries stringent penalties for producing or possessing forged money with intent to circulate it.
Investigators are now working to determine:
- how long the counterfeit printing operation was active,
- whether the notes had spread beyond Bulandshahr markets, and
- whether the three arrested individuals are linked to larger criminal networks operating in neighbouring districts or states.
Local police spokespersons said the counterfeiting operation was “rudimentary” and appears to have been run on a small scale, but added that even a limited supply of fake currency in circulation can undermine public trust and disrupt commerce if not contained swiftly.
Public Warning and Outreach
Authorities have warned residents and traders in Bulandshahr and surrounding areas to carefully examine currency before accepting it in cash transactions, especially higher-value notes.
Common signs of counterfeit notes include:
- discrepancies in textures or print quality,
- incorrect or blurry security features, and
- mismatched watermarks or security threads.
District police advised anyone who encounters fake notes to report them immediately to the nearest police station rather than attempting to use them in transactions.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
