Bank in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, encounter counterfeit ICICI ₹200 notes; unidentified suspects under investigation
In a series of unsettling incidents, the Pune region has been grappling with counterfeit currency cases. On Tuesday, March 20th, 2025, the ICICI Bank's Pimpri branch in Empire Estate, Pimpri-Chinchwad, found itself at the centre of such an issue.
Anand Gandhi, owner of Anand Medico, submitted a bundle containing nine fake ₹200 notes to the bank. The case was registered at Sant Tukaram Nagar Police Station under BNS Section 179 against unknown persons. The Deputy Manager of the ICICI Bank Pimpri branch lodged the complaint, and Police Sub-Inspector Atawe is investigating the matter further.
Gandhi claimed he conducts wholesale transactions with over 100 retail stores daily, making it challenging to identify the source of the fake notes. The counterfeit notes closely resemble genuine currency but were identified by detailed analysis and a cash counting machine.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a complaint regarding a Rs 5 crore extortion, claiming to be Arun Gawali's PA, was filed with the police in Viman Nagar on Tuesday. The notes used in this case also appeared to be fake, resembling the original currency but determined to be counterfeit through deep analysis and a cash counting machine.
In a similar case registered on 3rd July at Hinjawadi Police Station, "Children Bank of India" was written over the notes instead of the Reserve Bank of India. Three arrests were made in this case on the same day, and the accused had submitted fake notes worth ₹7.50 lakh to complete a deal.
On the same day as the Hinjawadi case, ₹3,000 worth (six notes of ₹500) of fake notes were submitted in a jewellery shop in Nigdi, marking a subtle scam in a large deal.
The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved Viability Gap Funding for the Solapur-Pune-Mumbai air route, providing a positive note amidst these financial uncertainties. However, the ongoing counterfeit currency cases serve as a reminder of the need for vigilance and robust investigation to maintain the integrity of the financial system.
The police are actively investigating these cases, and no further information is currently available regarding the outcome of the investigations.
- The counterfeit currency issue in Pune extends to the industry sector, as Anand Gandhi, a business owner, was found submitting fake ₹200 notes during wholesale transactions.
- The general-news narrative is punctuated by the discovery of counterfeit ₹5 croreextortion notes, highlighting the prevalence of this criminal activity in India.
- The issue of counterfeit currency is not confined to businesses, as even the Reserve Bank of India's name was replaced with "Children Bank of India" in a reported case.
- Considering the increasing frequency of counterfeit currency cases, the ongoing investigations in these incidents underscore the importance of crime and justice systems in maintaining financial integrity within the nation.
