Police arrest four, for running counterfeit currency operation from a madrasa
In Uttar Pradesh, allegations of terrorist links to madrasas have frequently emerged, but a recent revelation from Prayagraj has stunned many. A madrasa in the city has been exposed as running a counterfeit currency operation. The Prayagraj police have caught hold of a gang producing fake notes from the Jamia Habibia madrasa in the Atarsuiya area, arresting four members in the process. The authorities seized 1,300 counterfeit notes and various printing equipment from the madrasa, causing a major stir.
Located in Prayagraj’s Atarsuiya area, the Jamia Habibia madrasa, which also houses a mosque and educates a large number of students, was found to be operating as a counterfeit currency factory. According to the Prayagraj police, the madrasa had been a hub for fake note production for several months, focusing exclusively on ₹100 notes. The acting principal of the madrasa was allegedly involved in the scheme, providing a room for the operation in exchange for a substantial commission.
During a press conference, the police detailed the gang's methods: they used high-quality scanners to reproduce ₹100 notes on A4 paper, applying green cellophane tape to mimic real currency. Most notes had identical serial numbers. Initially, the gang circulated the fake notes themselves but later struck deals to distribute them through intermediaries.
The network was exposed when police apprehended two suspects near a bus stand, leading to raids at the madrasa and the arrest of acting principal Mohammad Tafsirul Arifin, mastermind Zahid Khan, and two other students, Afzal and Shahid. Tafsirul and Zahid are originally from Odisha, while Afzal and Shahid are from Prayagraj.
The police recovered ₹130,000 worth of fake ₹100 notes and other printing materials from the madrasa. According to DCP City Deepak Bhuker, the counterfeit notes were crafted so meticulously that they were difficult to distinguish from real currency. The decision to print only ₹100 notes was deliberate, aiming for easier circulation in the market.
This discovery is considered a major success for the Prayagraj police. The four arrested individuals have been jailed, and the authorities plan to investigate further to uncover the entire network. The case is being pursued under various sections of related to counterfeiting of currency. The police have also announced a ₹25,000 reward for the team that made the breakthrough, with other agencies likely to join the investigation.
जाहिर खान,मोहम्मद अफजल, मोहम्मद शाहिद और मोहम्मद तफ्सीरुल प्रयागराज के मदरसे में नक़ली नोट छापने का काम करते थे।
— Sagar Kumar “Sudarshan News” (@KumaarSaagar) August 29, 2024
जिनको प्रयागराज पुलिस ने गिरफ़्तार किया है।
बड़ा सवाल क्या मदरसे में तालीम के अलावा हर देश विरोधी काम होते है.? pic.twitter.com/cx1Hj1zVyt