Counterfeit ₹9 Crore Seized in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, Two Arrested

Rapid Summary

• Counterfeit Currency Recovery: More than ₹9 crore in fake Indian currency was seized from the Dhamakhali Ferry Ghat area in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, late Friday night (July 18, 2025). Nepali banknotes and equipment for handling large amounts of cash were also recovered.
• Arrests Made: Two suspects, sirajuddin Molla from Canning and Debabrata Chakraborty from Maheshtala, were arrested after trying to use counterfeit notes at a local shop. They were detained thanks to the alertness of the shopkeeper.
• Police Examination:

– Suspects checked into the Royal Guest House near the ferry ghat prior to their arrest.
– Police suspect this may be connected to a larger counterfeit network potentially spanning India and beyond its borders.
– Two Aadhaar cards found on Sirajuddin raised additional concerns about his identity.

• Court Proceedings: Both suspects were produced before a court on July 19 and sent to police custody for 12 days as investigations continue into financial trails and possible associates.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The discovery of ₹9 crore in counterfeit currency sheds light on serious security vulnerabilities within India’s financial systems. it raises concerns about regional hubs like North 24 Parganas being used as potential hotspots for organized crime networks with international links-evidenced by the presence of Nepali banknotes alongside fake Indian currency. This case also highlights how grassroots vigilance by citizens can play a critical role; had it not been for the shopkeeper’s alertness, this notable operation might have gone unnoticed.

For policymakers and law enforcement agencies,this case is an urgent reminder of the need for refined detection mechanisms against counterfeiting operations that could destabilize monetary integrity.Effective cross-border cooperation could also be pivotal if such rackets prove operational beyond India’s borders. Moving forward, ensuring tighter scrutiny of identification documents (like Aadhaar) during criminal investigations will be essential given existing gaps revealed during these arrests.Read more: The Hindu, Published July 20, 2025