Fake currency unit raided in Satna, 4 arrested

BHOPAL: Police on Monday busted a gang involved in making fake currency and seized 11,000 notes of Rs 100 denomination after a raid at a fake currency printing unit in Satna district. Four people have been arrested and equipment used for printing notes was seized from the premises.
Factory was being run from a photo studio named Astha Digital Photo Studio in Rampur Baghelan town. Those arrested were identified as Sonu Pathak, 20, resident of Kutai village in Maihar, Manoj Pandey, 30, and Prasenjit Mishra, 27, both residents of Dinapur village in Rampur Baghelan and Ashish Sharma resident of Chirauha village in Rampur Baghelan.
After a tip off that fake currency was being manufactured at Ashta Studio, a raid was conducted at around 4.30 pm and the accused were caught handed along with the equipment and fake notes, police officials said.
Fake notes of Rs100 denomination and 2 original notes were seized from the site, police said.
Original notes were used for making copies, said police. Cops said during initial interrogation accused have admitted to the crime stating that they just started printing fake notes and it was their first attempt. However, investigations are underway to find out whether they have circulated fake notes earlier, or are they linked to any counterfeit currency racket, police said.