The National Investigation Agency has arrested a contract driver in connection with the alleged placement of fake Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore inside Punjab National Bank’s currency chest in Saharanpur.
According to the investigating agency, the driver is among the main accused in the case. The currency chest manager has already been arrested, while three other bank employees were suspended after their alleged involvement emerged during the preliminary investigation.
The NIA is now preparing to question the arrested accused to determine how the counterfeit currency allegedly entered the bank’s currency chest and whether it was subsequently circulated at other locations.
Contract Driver Arrested
The arrested driver is a resident of New Nandpuri Colony in the Qutubsher police station area of Saharanpur and was working on contract at the currency chest.
His alleged role emerged during the NIA investigation, following which he was arrested.
The agency suspects that he may have played a significant role in the alleged conspiracy involving the placement and subsequent circulation of counterfeit notes.
₹17.29 Crore Fake Currency Found
According to the NIA, information about fake Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore being found at the Saharanpur currency chest emerged on August 29.
The discovery brought the bank’s internal procedures for handling, storing and moving currency under scrutiny.
The alleged involvement of three other bank employees also emerged during the preliminary investigation, following which they were suspended.
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NIA Takes Over Investigation
Considering the seriousness of the case, the investigation was handed over to the NIA.
An FIR was registered at a police station in Lucknow on September 3.
The agency began examining bank records, currency movement through the chest, documents related to suspected transactions and the roles of employees.
The currency chest manager was arrested earlier, followed by the contract driver.
₹111 Crore Consignment Under Scanner
During the investigation, the NIA also came across details of a large cash consignment sent from Saharanpur to the Reserve Bank of India’s Jaipur office.
According to the agency, around ₹111 crore was dispatched from Saharanpur to Jaipur on July 6.
Investigators are examining the entire process surrounding the consignment, including its packing, storage, sealing, handover and dispatch.
The roles of currency chest employees and others involved in handling the consignment are also being examined.
Fake Notes May Have Been Circulated
The investigation has indicated the possibility that counterfeit notes were not only kept inside the currency chest but may also have been circulated at multiple locations.
Investigators are examining the suspected involvement of bank employees and possible links between the handling of the counterfeit notes and their movement outside the currency chest.
The agency is also trying to determine the channels through which the fake currency was allegedly distributed and identify those who received it.
More People Under Investigation
The NIA suspects that other individuals may be connected to the alleged network apart from those already arrested.
The roles of bank employees, people associated with the currency chest and others potentially connected with the supply or circulation of counterfeit currency are being examined.
Investigators are also working to establish the source from which the counterfeit notes allegedly originated.
NIA to Question Both Accused
The NIA is preparing to seek custody of the arrested currency chest manager and contract driver for questioning.
Investigators are expected to focus on how the counterfeit notes allegedly reached the currency chest, where they came from, how they may have been moved to other locations and who else was allegedly involved.
The investigation remains underway, and further action will depend on the evidence gathered by the agency.
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