Fake notes worth 26.18 lakh seized; 2-member gang held

Rajamahendravaram: The urban police on Wednesday nabbed a two-member gang and seized Rs 26.18 lakh worth of fake currency notes, a colour printer, bond papers, two mobile sets, glitter pens and four duplicate gold biscuits from their possession.

Speaking to media at police guest house here, Urban Superintendent of Police B Raja Kumari said the duo Tetali Shiva Reddy and Kurmapu Uma Maheswara Rao alias Mahesh of Anaparthi, were arrested in a house at Muralikonda area on Wednesday.

The prime accused Tetali Shiva Reddy was printing the fake currency notes with denominations of Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 500 and Rs 2,000, at his in-law's house for one month. He is printing the fake currency notes through an Excel colour printer and using a cutter to cut the notes after printing and purchased several bond paper bundles to print fake notes.

He purchased the duplicate gold biscuits in Rayapur and engaged Uma Maheswara Rao to find out parties to exchange the fake notes and wants to circulate fake notes in cockfights during Sankranti festival in January. Shiva Reddy incurred loss in his finance business and Uma Maheswara Rao is working as an electrician.

A case was registered against the duo under respective sections and produced in the court. The court remanded them for 14 days custody. On a tip off, special branch DSPs P Satyanarayana and B Rama Krishna, Anti Goonda Squad sub-inspector Shivaji trapped the accused with their team. East Zone Deputy Superintendent of Police K Ramesh Babu was present.