Of the 46 branches of Maharashtra police, which has seized '1.4 crore of counterfeit currency in 2015, about Rs 44.87 lakh i.e. 33 per cent — which is by far the highest — has been seized by the Mumbai police. In 2015, more fake notes of '500 were found to be in circulation then those of Rs 1,000, which were circulating more in 2014. Because of the menace, BEST bus conductors were asked not to accept '500 notes from commuters.
Last year, about 3,137 fake notes in denomination of Rs 500 were seized in Mumbai while in 2014, about 2,853 notes were seized. On the other hand, last year 2,707 fake notes in denomination of Rs 1,000 were seized while in 2014 as many as 6,226 fake notes in the denomination of Rs 1,000 were seized.
The correspondent also came across a few people who found counterfeit currency of Rs 500 but chose not to report it. When the issue was taken up with a senior Mumbai police official, he said, “We end up getting only 1/7th or 1/8th part of the counterfeit currency being circulated in the city. The persons who get counterfeit notes have not done anything wrong and hence should not fear to come forward and inform us about who gave them that note. It will help us with important leads as we will know how and where the fake money is being circulated.”
When asked if the complaint box system can be used to submit fake notes and inform the police about its trail, a senior officer said, “It will not be of much help. People need to come forward and help us.”
In 2015, a total of Rs 45,87,950 worth fake currency was seized by the Mumbai police, while in 2014 a total of Rs 76,71,250 worth fake currency was seized. Overall in Maharashtra, about Rs 1,40,61,450 was seized in 2015 while in 2014 about Rs 1,79,51,800 was seized.
Even as the value of counterfeit currency slightly decreased in 2015 compared to the previous year, a senior police official said that it die not mean the authorities had managed to curb the menace. “In 2014, there were a couple of elections in our state and hence more fake money was getting circulated to lure the votes of poor people. So, we can not compare whether there is a rise or fall in the menace.”
