Nagpur: Police have recovered suspected fake ₹500 notes worth over ₹37 lakh from a rented room in Nagpur’s Kharbi area. The matter came to light after the landlord broke open the lock when the tenant did not visit the room for several days.
The tenant, identified as Pushpak Krishna Bhandarkar, alias Bendane, of Trimurti Nagar, is absconding. Wathoda police have begun a search and are reportedly trying to locate him in Mumbai.
Rent Dispute Led Police To Cache
Police said the accused had taken the room on rent nearly 18 months ago. The agreement lapsed in January, after which he allegedly stopped paying rent.
When landlord Ramesh pressed him to leave, the tenant allegedly brandished a knife and threatened him. Ramesh then approached Wathoda police and filed a non-cognisable complaint.
With the tenant absent for a prolonged period, the landlord broke the lock with a hammer on Saturday. He was shocked to find bundles of paper resembling ₹500 notes stuffed into a bucket, a printer inside the room and sheafs of paper scattered across the floor. He immediately alerted the police, as reported by NDTV.
Suspected Fake Notes Seized
A police team reached the spot and recovered the suspected counterfeit ₹500 notes. Officials used a counting machine to tally the haul, with preliminary estimates putting the value of the completed notes at more than ₹37 lakh.
Investigators also seized partially printed notes, printing paper, a laptop, a colour printer and other equipment. The combined value of the notes and material was estimated at around ₹48 lakh. Some sheets were printed on one side, while others had printing on both sides.
Police have seized all the recovered material and launched a search for Pushpak. During preliminary inquiries, investigators learnt that he was in Mumbai. A police team is likely to be sent there to trace and arrest him.