Authorities in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, have uncovered an alleged large-scale coin-melting operation, resulting in the seizure of over 5,600 kilograms of ₹1, ₹2, and ₹5 coins. The raid, conducted on August 1, led to a case being registered against local trader Naveen Samadia under India's Coinage Act, 2011.
Thousands of Kilograms of Coins Seized
The operation, initiated following a tip-off, saw officials from the Nayab Tehsildar team raid Samadia's stationery shop in Naya Ganj market and his residence in Hanuman Gali. They discovered 106 plastic bags containing a staggering 5,663.3 kilograms of coins. Due to the immense volume, the coins were weighed rather than individually counted.
According to Shiv Kumar, the Nayab Tehsildar at Mursan tehsil who lodged the complaint, 90 bags weighing 5,143.5 kilograms were found at the residence, while 16 bags totaling 422.8 kilograms were seized from the shop. The recovered denominations primarily included ₹1, ₹2, and ₹5 coins, allegedly intended for melting and redistribution.
Legal Ramifications Under the Coinage Act
Hathras police have filed a case against Samadia under Sections 12 and 13 of the Coinage Act, 2011. Section 12 explicitly prohibits the making, melting, or destruction of coins, while Section 13 prescribes a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment or a fine for violations. Satyendra Singh Raghav, officer-in-charge of the Hathras Kotwali police station, described the case as potentially the first of its kind in the district, noting that the registration was delayed as police station computers initially lacked data on the specific act.
The accused, Naveen Samadia, is currently on the run, but authorities expect to apprehend him soon to uncover the full extent of his operation.
Expanding Investigation and Alleged Network
Police and the district administration are now working to determine if the coin-melting scheme extends beyond Hathras, suspecting a wider network. Initial reports suggest Samadia might have collected coins from various traders in the district, operating on a commission basis. There are also indications that some of the collected coins may have been supplied to religious centers in nearby Mathura and Vrindavan, where coins are frequently used by devotees for temple offerings, making them a readily available commodity for collection.