The Uttar Pradesh Police’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has uncovered a plot to circulate fake currency during the upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. The conspiracy came to light following the arrest of Mohammad Suleman Ansari and Idris, who were detained in Sarnath, Varanasi, on November 19 with counterfeit currency worth Rs 1.97 lakh.
Authorities are currently searching for Zakir, the alleged mastermind behind the operation. Zakir is accused of supplying the counterfeit notes to Suleman and Idris, who then distributed the fake currency across various parts of Uttar Pradesh. A resident of Malda, West Bengal, Zakir reportedly obtained the counterfeit Indian currency from Bangladesh, as revealed during the interrogation.
Suleman and Idris are from Vaishali district in Bihar. Suleman, who worked as a puncture repairman in Malda, became acquainted with Zakir there. The Bihar Police had previously arrested Suleman for possessing fake notes worth Rs 2 lakh, leading to his imprisonment in Hajipur jail for approximately six months. Following the arrest of Suleman and Idris, Anti-Terrorism Squad Inspector Bharat Bhushan Tiwari filed a case at the Sarnath police station.
On November 19, the ATS received information that a group of individuals had arrived in Varanasi from a train carrying a shipment of counterfeit currency from West Bengal. The police immediately launched a search for the suspects. Near the Faridpur bypass, two individuals were seen standing with backpacks. Upon noticing the police, they fled the scene.
After being detained, one of the suspects, Muhammad Suleman Ansari (67), revealed his identity while he was being probed. He was found to possess a mobile phone, PAN card, cash, and a train ticket. The other suspect, Idris, also had a railway ticket and a mobile phone on him.
During a search, bundles of fake 500 rupee notes were recovered from both of them. They both confessed that two days earlier, they had travelled from Vaishali to Malda, where Zakir supplied them with nearly two lakh rupees in counterfeit currency. In exchange for the fake notes, they received genuine currency worth thirty thousand rupees for every one lakh in forged money.
During questioning, the accused admitted that after obtaining the counterfeit notes, they returned to West Bengal using different vehicles. The forged currency was initially intended for use in Varanasi, with the remaining notes planned for circulation during the Mahakumbh Mela, scheduled for January in Prayagraj. Prior to their arrest, both suspects had made small purchases, including buying tea and using counterfeit money.
The Mahakumbh Mela, held every 12 years in Prayagraj, is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. This year, however, there has been a significant development, as Hindu organisations have decided that Muslim stalls will not be allowed during the event.
