Saharanpur Police have dismantled a massive counterfeit syndicate responsible for circulating over ₹70 crore in fake ₹20 coins. Five members, including a notorious kingpin, were arrested with heavy machinery and counterfeit stock.
- Saharanpur Police arrested 5 members of a counterfeit coin syndicate.
- The gang allegedly circulated fake ₹20 coins worth over ₹70 crore.
- The operation spanned across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar.
- Key arrests include kingpin Upkar Luthra, a veteran criminal since 2001.
In a major crackdown on economic crime, the Saharanpur Police have arrested five members of an alleged counterfeit coin syndicate. The gang is suspected of circulating fake ₹20 coins worth an estimated ₹70 crore across multiple states. The arrests took place in the Titawa area of Saharanpur on Sunday, while the accused were reportedly transporting heavy machinery to establish a new manufacturing unit.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to Saharanpur SSP Abhinandan, the syndicate operated with high efficiency. Using specialized machinery, the gang claimed the capacity to produce between 10,000 to 12,000 counterfeit coins per day. These coins were then distributed through a network of agents to liquor shops, toll plazas, and grocery stores. Liquor shops were identified as the primary market for these counterfeit coins.
The gang utilized a highly decentralized structure, assigning specific roles to members to ensure that the arrest of one individual would not compromise the entire network.
During the raid, police recovered 6,400 counterfeit ₹20 coins (face value of ₹1.28 lakh), semi-finished coins worth approximately ₹5 lakh, and six heavy-duty coin-making machines. Additional seized items included iron dies, grinding stones, and electronic scales used in the manufacturing process.
The Criminal Network and Kingpin
The mastermind behind this operation has been identified as Upkar Luthra, alias Abhay Pratap Singh. A former goldsmith from Mohali, Luthra has been a known figure in the counterfeit trade since 2001. He had previously been arrested by the Delhi Police in 2017. Investigations revealed that the network was actually forged within the walls of Tihar Jail, where Luthra met Himanshu alias Gullu, laying the groundwork for this interstate crime syndicate.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the scale of this operation poses a significant threat to the local economy and the integrity of physical currency. The ability of such gangs to penetrate high-volume cash businesses like liquor shops and toll plazas highlights a critical vulnerability in retail cash transactions.
| Item Category | Details/Quantity |
|---|---|
| Total Estimated Circulation | ₹70 Crore |
| Arrested Accused | 5 Members |
| Recovered Fake Coins | 6,400 Units |
| Recovered Machinery | 6 Machines |
| Primary Markets | Liquor Shops, Tolls, Grocery Stores |
This arrest comes on the heels of another major currency-related incident in the district, where the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the recovery of ₹17.29 crore in counterfeit currency from a nationalized bank's currency chest.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which states were affected by this counterfeit coin racket?
The gang's operations were spread across Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Bihar.
2. Who is the mastermind of this gang?
The kingpin is Upkar Luthra, a seasoned criminal involved in counterfeit trade since 2001.
