Fake ₹7.29 crore notes uncovered at Saharanpur PNB; NIA detains suspect

A major counterfeit operation involving ₹7.29 crore in fake Indian notes was discovered at the Punjab National Bank in Saharanpur on August 29. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now arrested a suspect named Nitu, who hails from Kunja Bahadurpur village in Haridwar district, Uttarakhand.

According to police sources, Nitu is a trusted associate of the main perpetrator, Aadesh Chaudhary, and other principal accused linked to the circulation of the forged notes through the bank's currency chest.

The initial discovery also implicated three bank employees, leading to their suspension pending further inquiry. The case was formally registered at Sadar Bazaar police station on the same day, after which the NIA assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Earlier, the NIA had taken into custody Amit Kumar on September 7, followed by the arrests of Aadesh Chaudhary, Mukesh Kumar, and Rajendra on September 15 and September 20 respectively.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities aim to track down additional co‑accused and bring the entire counterfeit network to book.