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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 12 sources · 8 days · First seen · Last updated

Punjab National Bank currency chest fraud

Overview

A major counterfeit currency fraud was discovered at the Punjab National Bank (PNB) currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The discrepancy was first identified during an audit after a cash remittance to the Reserve Bank of India showed a shortfall. While initial findings identified ₹7.40 crore in counterfeit notes, subsequent scrutiny increased the estimated value of the fake currency to nearly ₹17 crore.

Investigators suspected that genuine banknotes were systematically replaced with counterfeits within the secured vault. In response, PNB suspended three officials—senior divisional manager Ravi Kumar, currency chest manager Sushil Sharma, and manager Amit Kumar—while a part-time housekeeper was also implicated.

Due to the scale of the operation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case on September 3, 2026. Following the investigation, the NIA arrested Amit Kumar, a bank employee who had been absconding since the case was registered. Authorities are continuing to investigate the network responsible for the circulation and storage of the high-value fake notes.

Entities

Saharanpur · Punjab National Bank · Uttar Pradesh · National Investigation Agency · Reserve Bank of India

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [CRIME] 5 sources
    NIA arrests PNB manager in Rs 17.29 crore fake currency case

    The NIA has arrested a PNB manager, Amit Kumar, in connection with a Rs 17.29 crore counterfeit currency conspiracy at a Saharanpur currency chest.

  2. 11 days ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources
    Punjab National Bank currency chest fraud in Saharanpur

    A massive fraud involving nearly ₹17 crore in counterfeit currency has been discovered at a Punjab National Bank currency chest in Saharanpur, leading to the suspension of several bank officials.

Sources

aajtak.com · acvila30.ro · desitalkchicago.com · enavabharat.com · hindi.news18.com · hindi.newsbytesapp.com · khabarindiatv.com · millenniumpost.in · newsbytesapp.com · socialnews.xyz · tv9hindi.com · webdunia.com