{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "NIA arrests another suspect in connection with fake currency syndicate linked to PNB chest",
  "summary": "The National Investigation Agency has apprehended Harish Raunta from Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The arrest is part of an ongoing probe into a major conspiracy involving the circulation of fake Indian currency notes in a bank currency chest.",
  "content": "The National Investigation Agency has arrested Harish Raunta from Manali, Himachal Pradesh. Prior to this, the central agency apprehended Ajay Kumar from Ambala, Haryana, on October 16. According to investigators, both Ajay Kumar and Harish Raunta are allegedly the key masterminds behind the large-scale illegal printing and supply of fake Indian currency notes.\n\n \n\nFake notes reached the bank currency chest\n\nAs per the findings of the federal agency, these counterfeit notes were routed through other accomplices into the currency chest of Punjab National Bank located in Saharanpur. Both Ajay Kumar and Harish Raunta are close associates of Adeshl Chaudhary, who is among the other arrested individuals involved in the conspiracy. This high-profile case pertains to the infusion of fake Indian currency notes into the currency chest of Punjab National Bank near Civil Lines in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, which is being investigated by the agency under case number RC-02/2026/NIA/LKW.\n\n \n\nHow the counterfeit currency racket was uncovered\n\nThe sophisticated financial fraud came to light on August 29, 2026, when the Sadar Bazar police station in Saharanpur district received specific intelligence inputs. Following this tip-off, fake Indian currency notes amounting to 17.29 crore rupees were recovered from the PNB currency chest in Saharanpur. The initial inquiry revealed the direct complicity of three bank employees, prompting the bank administration to suspend them immediately. An initial First Information Report was registered on August 29, 2026, against three accused under section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Sadar Bazar police station. Subsequently, the federal agency re-registered the case on September 3, 2026.\n\n \n\nMultiple arrests made by investigators earlier\n\nBefore the recent developments, the agency arrested named accused Amit Kumar and key masterminds Adeshl Chaudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Rajendra, and Neetu on September 7, 15, 20, and 22, 2026. Intensive investigative efforts are currently underway to dismantle the complete supply network and apprehend remaining co-conspirators and suspects linked to the syndicate.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe unearthing of a massive counterfeit currency syndicate carries direct implications for banking security and financial integrity across the nation.\n\n• Across India: The involvement of bank currency chests in circulating fake notes prompts tighter security protocols and rigorous internal audits across all public sector financial institutions. Regulatory authorities are compelled to reinforce oversight to protect the banking infrastructure from exploitation.\n\n• In Saharanpur: Local account holders experienced heightened scrutiny and concern following the suspension of bank employees linked to the multi-crore counterfeit seizure at the local branch.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe sprawling counterfeit operation stems from a deeply entrenched criminal conspiracy designed to flood formal financial channels with fake paper currency.\n\n• Criminal Syndicate: Investigators established that masterminds like Ajay Kumar and Harish Raunta operated a specialized network responsible for the illegal manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit notes.\n\n• Internal Complicity: The infiltration of the PNB currency chest in Saharanpur was made possible through the active collusion of bank personnel, enabling fraudulent funds to bypass standard institutional checks.\n\n• Federal Intervention: Following the initial local police disclosure and the suspension of complicit staff, the federal agency took over the probe to systematically track down and dismantle the entire supply chain.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Where was Harish Raunta arrested by the NIA?\nThe NIA arrested Harish Raunta from Manali in Himachal Pradesh.\n\n2. Which financial institution is at the center of this fake currency case?\nThe case revolves around the currency chest of Punjab National Bank located in Saharanpur.\n\n3. What was the total value of fake currency recovered in Saharanpur?\nFake Indian currency notes amounting to 17.29 crore rupees were recovered from the bank currency chest.\n\n4. When was Ajay Kumar apprehended by investigators?\nAjay Kumar was arrested on October 16 from Ambala in Haryana.\n\n5. Which agency is currently investigating this multi-crore syndicate?\nThe investigation is being conducted by the National Investigation Agency.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/crime/nia-arrests-another-suspect-in-connection-with-fake-currency-syndicate-linked-to-pnb-chest-50587",
  "category": "Crime",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-22",
  "tags": [
    "NIA",
    "Saharanpur",
    "Punjab National Bank",
    "Fake Currency",
    "Crime News",
    "Himachal Pradesh"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}