New Delhi: Intelligence agencies have seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN) of over Rs two crore face value during 2011-12, the highest seizure in the past three years, with Delhi accounting for a major chunk.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which acts as the lead agency to check FICN, seized Rs 2.16 crore in fake currency, of which Rs 1.56 crore was from the national capital. It has seized counterfeit currency notes of face value of Rs 29.88 lakh from West Bengal, Rs 20 lakh from Bihar and Rs 9.92 lakh from Punjab in the last year.
The DRI has arrested 13 people in connection with the seizures of fake Indian currency notes including six from West Bengal, four from Delhi, two from Punjab and one from Bihar.
Reuters
“The menace of fake Indian currency notes is growing in the recent years. We have found involvement of an international syndicate in the whole racket of circulation of FICN,” a DRI official said. Officials said in majority of seizures the FICN was pumped in from neighbouring countries– Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal– through land, water and air borders.
“We are investigating the matter and sharing it with the respective intelligence agencies. The checkings along the international border have been intensified,” the official said.
The seizures by DRI is excluding the cases under state police forces and central agencies like the CBI among others. The CBI has yesterday arrested three persons, including two women, for allegedly carrying counterfeit currency notes having face value of Rs 8.50 lakh in Lucknow.
The agency has seized FICN with face value of over Rs 29 lakh this year so far.
PTI
