New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency has arrested two more alleged conspirators in a case linked to the printing and supply of fake Indian currency notes, a haul of which was recovered from a Punjab National Bank currency chest in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur.
The agency said Ajay Kumar was arrested from Ambala on October 16 and Harish Rounta from Manali on October 22. It described both as close associates of Adesh Choudhary and other accused already held in the case. The case relates to the placement of counterfeit notes in the PNB Civil Lines branch in Saharanpur.
The matter came to light on August 29, when the Sadar Bazaar police station in Saharanpur received information about the recovery of counterfeit notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore from the bank's currency chest. During the inquiry, the involvement of three bank employees surfaced, and the bank suspended them, the NIA said.
A first information report was registered on August 29 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the NIA re-registered the case on September 3 and took over the investigation. Earlier, the agency arrested Amit Kumar on September 7, Adesh Choudhary on September 15, Mukesh Kumar on September 20, and Rajender and Nitu on September 22.
The NIA said the investigation is continuing to trace the supply chain, examine how the fake notes were allegedly printed and transported, and identify other suspects. Investigators said the notes were allegedly routed through several accused before being deposited in the bank's chest. The agency said further arrests are possible as the probe widens.