India
oi-Ashish Rana
A dispute over unpaid rent has led to a major discovery in Nagpur, where a landlord allegedly found a large quantity of fake currency inside a locked room. Police suspect that the tenant was printing counterfeit Rs 500 notes there and have started searching for him.
Nagpur police are searching for tenant Pushpak Krishna Bhandarkar after his landlord discovered suspected fake Rs 500 notes worth ₹37 lakh and printing materials valued at ₹48 lakh in a locked room, following a dispute over unpaid rent and the tenant’s disappearance.
The police recovered suspected fake notes worth Rs 37 lakh, along with a printer, unfinished currency notes and other printing materials. The total value of the recovered notes and material is estimated at around Rs 48 lakh.
Landlord Breaks Lock After Tenant Goes Missing
The incident took place in the Kharbi area of Nagpur. The tenant, Pushpak Krishna Bhandarkar, alias Bendane, had rented the room around one-and-a-half years ago.
His rental agreement ended in January. He had allegedly stopped paying rent for several months and had not visited the room for a long time.
The landlord, Ramesh, had asked him to leave the property. However, Pushpak allegedly threatened him with a knife. Ramesh then approached Wathoda police, where a non-cognisable complaint was registered.
Printer And Bundles Of Notes Found Inside
On Saturday, Ramesh broke the room’s lock with a hammer. He was surprised to find bundles of currency notes inside a bucket, paper sheets scattered across the room and a printer.
He immediately called the police. Officers who arrived at the scene recovered bundles of suspected fake Rs 500 notes and materials used for printing currency.
Police Estimate Fake Notes Worth Rs 37 Lakh
Police used a counting machine to check the recovered notes. An initial assessment suggested that the accused had allegedly printed counterfeit currency worth Rs 37 lakh.
Investigators also found sheets with notes printed on only one side, while the other side was still blank. Including the unfinished notes and printing materials, the total value of the seized items was estimated at approximately Rs 48 lakh.
Police Team May Travel To Mumbai
Pushpak, who lives in Trimurti Nagar in Nagpur, is currently missing. Investigators learnt that he was in Mumbai when they contacted him.
A police team is expected to travel to Mumbai to find and arrest him. Officers have seized the recovered materials, and the investigation into the alleged counterfeit currency operation is continuing.
