Team Goemkarponn
BELAGAVI: Belagavi Market Police have arrested four individuals, including three from Goa, for allegedly attempting to pass off counterfeit ₹500 currency notes in the city.
The accused have been identified as Mohammed Arbaz (21) from Taleband-Davorlim, Rupesh Hanumanth Vakode (26) from Canacona, Mohammad Hussain Bakki (23) from Margao, and Shravankumar (25) from Begusarai in Bihar.
Police said a total of 495 fake ₹500 notes were recovered from the accused. In addition, mobile phones worth around ₹40,000 and a vehicle suspected to have been used in the operation were also seized.
The Incident came to light on March 16 after the group allegedly used ₹500 notes to purchase goods at a shop on Khadebazar Road. The shopkeeper grew suspicious about the authenticity of the currency and promptly alerted the Market Police Station.
Following the tip-off, Police Inspector J M Kalimirchi, along with his team, rushed to the location and launched a search operation. The suspects were soon traced, detained, and taken in for questioning.
During interrogation, the accused are said to have admitted that they were trying to circulate fake currency in the busy Khadebazar market area.
Police are now investigating whether the group had plans to distribute counterfeit notes beyond Belagavi, including in neighbouring regions such as Goa. Efforts are also underway to identify the origin of the fake currency and uncover any wider network.
A case has been registered at the Market Police Station under relevant legal provisions, and further investigation is in progress. Senior officers of the Belagavi City Police have praised the team for their swift action, which helped prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency in the market.
