Demonetized notes of Rs 51,500 face value seized from businessman

SURAT: A team of Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) from Ahmedabad and Special Operation Group (SOG) of city police raided and seized Rs51,500 in demonetised currency notes from a residence in Rani Talav area of city on Saturday.
Police suspect that the person found in possession of the defunct notes, Faisal Mohammad Habib Chandiwala, 26, a textile businessman, at Bharbandhwad in Rani Talav, was running a cheating racket by offering these in exchange of legal currency.
Chandiwala’s father-in-law Zuber Jariwala was caught in Navsari with demonetized notes while trying to exchange it, police informed. Chandiwala runs textile business in Raj Textile Market.
“Initially it was an information of major racket of counterfeit currency notes of Rs 50 lakh face value. But during checking it was found that the suspect had kept demonetized notes in suspicious manner,” said a police officer.
Chandiwala was questioned and allowed to go after registering his statement.
No offence in the recovery of the notes has been registered as yet. “Possession of demonetised notes does not fall under any crime and hence police cannot take actions. We registered an informal complaint and seized the notes,” said a police officer.
The suspect had prepared 68 bundles of scrapped notes in cardboard pieces, cut in shape of currency notes. On top of the bundles currency notes were placed and rubber band was tied on it. The bundles were kept in empty air conditioner boxes in between pillows.
“Pillows were placed at the bottom and on top of the bundles to make it appear as if the box is full of currency notes. Before they could cheat anyone police seized the notes,” said police.