SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted extensive searches across three states on Wednesday in connection with a 2024 case involving the seizure of high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) in Bihar.
According to a statement, the searches were conducted at five locations in Bihar and one each in Jammu & Kashmir and Telangana as part of investigations into a fake currency racket operated from Nepal, reportedly using cryptocurrency for transactions.
The raids took place in Patna, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, and Motihari districts of Bihar, Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir, and Hyderabad, Telangana.
During the searches, the NIA recovered Rs 1,49,400 in cash, digital devices such as pen drives, mobile phones, and SIM cards, along with incriminating documents.
The case, RC-17/2024/NIA/DLI, pertains to the seizure of FICN with a face value of Rs 1,95,000 from three individuals Md. Nazar Saddam of Bhagalpur, Md. Waris of Bhojpur and Zakir Hussain of Patna.
The trio was arrested by local police during a vehicle check near Kharwa Bridge in Banjariya on September 5, 2024. Another accused, Muzaffar Ahmad Wani (alias Sarfaraz), was later arrested in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir.
The NIA, which took over the case from the Bihar police in December 2024, is continuing its investigation. (KNO)
