A fake currency printing unit was unearthed by the police in Parlakhemundi of Odisha’s Gajapati district on Monday. Police suspect the unit was being used to print counterfeit notes to be distributed during the elections in the State.
Fake currencies with the face value of ₹2,50,000 in ₹500 denomination was seized from a rented house, where the counterfeit printing unit was operating. Equipments, chemicals and paper for fake currency notes were seized.
Two persons — one from Srikakulam district of adjoining Andhra Pradesh and the other, a resident of Parlakhemundi — were arrested from the spot. Another accused from Bihar managed to escape during the police raid.
According to investigating police officers, seizure of such large amount fake currencies suggests that those involved in the racket might be planning to circulate them in rural areas during the election process, when cash transactions increases many folds.
Gajapati Superintendent of Police Sara Sharma said further investigation is on to find out if the busted fake currency printing unit is a part of a larger inter-State racket.