Ahmedabad : In a bizarre case, Ahmedabad police have launched investigations across multiple states after seizing counterfeit ₹500 currency notes that featured the image of actor Anupam Kher instead of Mahatma Gandhi. The counterfeit currency was given to a bullion trader in Manek Chowk, Ahmedabad, under the guise of purchasing gold worth ₹1.60 crore.
Two fraudsters, posing as buyers, set up a fake angadia (courier) office under the name Patel Kantilal Madanlal in Anand Mangal Complex on CG Road. They approached Mehul Thakkar, a bullion trader from Manek Chowk and resident of Prahladnagar, with a deal to purchase 2,100 grams of gold. In exchange, they handed over ₹1.30 crore in counterfeit ₹500 notes, which, upon inspection, were found to bear the photograph of actor Anupam Kher instead of Mahatma Gandhi. The bundles were also marked with the “SBI” label.
The counterfeit notes were quickly flagged, leading to a police investigation into the origins of the fake currency. Law enforcement agencies are now probing the printing and distribution of these notes, extending their investigation to other states, including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Despite expanding the probe, no major breakthroughs have been reported thus far.
The case has baffled authorities, especially given the peculiar detail of using a famous actor’s photograph in place of Gandhi’s iconic image. Officials are looking into how the fake currency was produced and whether it was an isolated case or part of a larger network of counterfeit operations.
While police continue their investigations, bullion traders in Manek Chowk and other areas have been put on high alert, and the authorities have urged business owners to be extra vigilant when dealing with large cash transactions.
The Ahmedabad police are working closely with various state agencies to track down the fraudsters involved and prevent the circulation of more counterfeit currency. The case has highlighted the need for greater scrutiny in financial transactions, especially in the bullion market, which often deals with large amounts of cash.
This unique case of counterfeit notes featuring a well-known actor’s image has not only shocked the local trading community but also raised concerns about the increasing sophistication of fraudulent schemes targeting high-value transactions.
