New Delhi, October 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two more accused allegedly involved in the illegal printing and supply of counterfeit Indian currency notes worth Rs 17.29 crore that reached the Punjab National Bank (PNB) currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Thursday.
The NIA identified the arrested accused as Ajay Kumar, who was apprehended from Ambala in Haryana on October 16, and Harish Rounta, who was arrested from Manali in Himachal Pradesh on October 22.
According to the agency, both men are close associates of previously arrested accused Adesh Choudhary and others allegedly involved in the conspiracy to place counterfeit Indian currency notes in the PNB currency chest at Civil Lines, Saharanpur. The case is registered as RC-02/2026/NIA/LKW.
The case came to light on August 29, when Sadar Bazar Police Station in Saharanpur received credible information about the recovery of counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 17.29 crore from the PNB currency chest, the agency said.
During the initial inquiry, the involvement of three bank employees also emerged. The bank subsequently suspended the employees, according to the NIA.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 0431/2026 at Sadar Bazar Police Station under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against three accused. The NIA took over and re-registered the case on September 3.
Earlier, the agency arrested FIR-named accused Amit Kumar and other key accused, including Adesh Choudhary, Mukesh Kumar, Rajender and Nitu, on September 7, 15, 20 and 22.
The NIA said the investigation was continuing to uncover the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify and arrest the remaining co-accused and suspects.
At the time of Adesh Choudhary’s arrest on September 7, the agency said he was a contractual driver attached to the PNB currency chest. He was reportedly residing in New Nandpuri Colony along Gangoh Road in the Qutub Sher police station area of Saharanpur.
Investigators suspect that Choudhary played a significant role in the wider racket involving the circulation of high-value counterfeit currency notes.
The agency is continuing its probe into the alleged network and the circumstances surrounding the entry of the fake currency into the bank’s currency chest.
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