Pune: Police Bust Counterfeit Currency Racket, Arrest Four; Fake Notes and Printing Equipment Seized
Vishrambaug, 26th October 2026: The Vishrambaug Police have arrested four men for their alleged involvement in a counterfeit Indian currency racket and seized fake ₹500 notes and equipment allegedly used to manufacture counterfeit currency, according to a press release issued by the police on October 25.
The case came to light after Police Constables Sachin Abichake and Shailesh Surve received information that a person carrying counterfeit currency would arrive near Mahatma Phule Mandai in Pune. They alerted Police Sub-Inspector Satvayan Gaud, who informed Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagatap.
Acting on the information, a police team laid a trap near Mhalsa Temple, behind Mahatma Phule Mandai in Shukrawar Peth, on October 18 at around 4:45 pm. During the operation, police apprehended Salman Javedin Raje, 30, a resident of Ambegaon, and seized 808 counterfeit ₹500 notes with a face value of ₹4.04 lakh from his possession.
During further investigation, police identified three alleged accomplices: Shakaj Firoz Ansari, 30, a resident of Nalasopara; Vishal Vilas Galande, 39, a resident of Surpurwadi in Satara district; and Abhijit Ravsaheb Kamble, 30, a resident of Shiroli in Kolhapur district. The three were subsequently apprehended, the press note stated.
Police also seized computer equipment allegedly used in the counterfeiting operation, including an Epson printer, an HP monitor, a Lenovo keyboard and mouse, and computer CPUs. The equipment was valued at approximately ₹21,900.
The press note further mentions the seizure of 323 counterfeit ₹500 notes valued at ₹1,61,500 and another 1,128 notes valued at ₹5,64,000. The quantities and values listed in the release require clarification from the investigating police.
Senior Police Inspector Navnath Jagatap said the operation was carried out after the police received specific information about the movement of counterfeit currency. The police team acted on the information, apprehended the suspects and seized counterfeit notes and equipment during the investigation.
The case has been registered at Vishrambaug Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Further investigation is underway.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of senior Pune Police officials, including Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and other officers, with personnel from Vishrambaug Police Station participating in the investigation.
