Bengaluru police have apprehended an MBA graduate accused of operating a counterfeit ₹500 notes racket following a seemingly minor transaction. The investigation, which began with a complaint from a vigilant grocery shop owner, led authorities to a printing unit on the city's outskirts.
How a Cigarette Purchase Unraveled the Racket
The case originated on July 2 when Anjana Shetty, a 56-year-old grocery shop owner in Tumakuru district, reported a suspicious ₹500 note. Two men, traveling in a blue Maruti Alto, used the note to purchase a packet of cigarettes. After returning ₹370 in change, Shetty examined the note more closely and suspected it was counterfeit, prompting her to file a complaint at Huliyaru police station.
Police Trace and Raid Counterfeit Unit
A special investigation team, combining officers from Huliyaru and Madanayakanahalli police, utilized vehicle tracking and technical surveillance to trace the distinctive blue Maruti Alto. Their efforts led them to a hideout in Gangondanahalli, near Madanayakanahalli, on the outskirts of Bengaluru. During the subsequent raid, police allegedly discovered a counterfeit currency printing unit and seized numerous fake notes. Rudresh, the alleged mastermind, was arrested at the scene.
The Accused: An MBA Graduate with a History
Police identified the arrested individual as Rudresh, an MBA graduate. According to investigators, Rudresh was previously the prime accused in a similar counterfeit currency racket uncovered by Davanagere police in 2024. That earlier operation was alleged to have circulated nearly ₹20 lakh worth of fake currency within three months. Authorities claim that after his recent release from prison, Rudresh restarted the illicit note printing operation.
Ongoing Investigation into Scale and Network
The investigation is currently underway to determine the full scale of the alleged operation, including how many counterfeit notes had already entered circulation and whether other individuals were involved in printing or distributing the fake currency. Police are working to identify additional members of the network and ascertain the full extent of their activities.