Counterfeit Currency Worth ₹4.01 Lakh Seized in Sonepur, Three Arrested

Sonepur: Police in Odisha’s Sonepur district have busted a counterfeit currency racket and seized fake notes with a face value of ₹4.01 lakh. Three persons have been arrested in connection with the case.

Acting on a tip-off, a team from Binika Police Station conducted a raid and apprehended three accused — Jayanarayan Bastia (27) of Rengali under Lachhipur police limits, Abhisek Hota (23) of Phulmuti under Binika police limits, and Ashok Naik (28) of Betrapada under Binika police limits.

During the search, police recovered 803 fake ₹500 notes, all bearing serial numbers 6SR856701, 6SR856668, 6SR856661, and 6SR856618, amounting to a total face value of ₹4,01,500. Three mobile phones were also seized from their possession.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had been circulating fake notes across different parts of the district. Police are now probing the source of the counterfeit currency and attempting to trace other individuals linked to the racket.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.