Delhi Police bust fake currency network, seize ₹2.65 lakh in counterfeit notes
Synopsis
Delhi Police raided a Paharganj guest house on 5 November and arrested two men from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, before they could offload ₹2.65 lakh in fake Indian currency notes. With a third alleged supplier still unidentified and one accused already on record for a 2023 fake-note case, the investigation points to a deeper supply chain that police are now working to dismantle.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police arrested Dinesh Kumar Jha (36) and Satish Kumar (20) from Neelam Guest House, Paharganj on 5 November 2026 .
Counterfeit currency with a face value of ₹2,65,100 was recovered — ₹2,45,100 from Jha and ₹20,000 from Satish Kumar.
The accused had planned to sell fake notes worth ₹1 lakh for just ₹25,000–₹30,000 in genuine currency but had not found a buyer.
A third alleged supplier, identified only as 'S' , remains at large and is under investigation.
Jha was previously booked in a counterfeit currency case in 2023 at Patparganj Industrial Area police station.
437/26 has been registered at Paharganj police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) .
Delhi Police on 5 November 2026 dismantled an alleged counterfeit currency supply network operating in Paharganj, New Delhi, arresting two men from Muzaffarpur, Bihar and recovering fake Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹2.65 lakh. The accused were caught before they could find any buyer, according to officials.
The Arrests and Recovery
The two accused — Dinesh Kumar Jha (36) and Satish Kumar (20), both residents of Muzaffarpur — were apprehended during a raid at Neelam Guest House in the Paharganj area, located opposite New Delhi Railway Station. The operation was led by Sub-Inspector S.N. Ojha, in charge of Police Post Sangatrashan, acting on specific intelligence about two individuals allegedly involved in the supply and circulation of fake currency in the area.
The raid was conducted under the supervision of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Paharganj and the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) of the subdivision. A subsequent search of the premises yielded counterfeit notes totalling ₹2,65,100. The Crime Team and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) were called in to examine the recovered currency.
Breakdown of Seized Notes
Of the total seizure, ₹2,45,100 was recovered from Jha, comprising four counterfeit notes of ₹500 denomination, 1,000 notes of ₹200 denomination, 351 notes of ₹100 denomination, and 160 notes of ₹50 denomination. The remaining ₹20,000, made up of 100 counterfeit notes of ₹200 denomination, was seized from Satish Kumar.
What the Accused Disclosed
During interrogation, the accused allegedly disclosed that they had travelled to Delhi specifically to sell the counterfeit currency and were searching for prospective buyers. According to police, they had planned to sell notes with a face value of ₹1 lakh for between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 in genuine currency — a typical discount structure in fake-note trafficking networks. No deal had been finalised before their arrest.
The accused also allegedly revealed that the counterfeit notes were supplied to them by a third individual identified only as 'S'. Police are now investigating this alleged supplier's role and working to identify other members of the broader network.
Prior Criminal Record and Legal Action
Notably, Jha was previously implicated in a counterfeit currency case registered in 2023 at the Patparganj Industrial Area police station in Delhi, under Sections 489B, 489C and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. A case in the current matter has been registered at Paharganj police station as FIR No. 437/26 under Sections 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both accused have been medically examined and produced before a court.
Police said further investigation is underway to trace the origin of the counterfeit notes, identify the alleged supplier, and uncover the full extent of the network involved in their supply and circulation.
Point of View
Often acting as low-rung carriers for a supply chain that stretches further upstream. The fact that one accused was already booked in 2023 for an identical offence and was apparently undeterred raises questions about the deterrence value of existing penalties. The unnamed supplier 'S' is the more significant target — without that link, police are cutting off branches rather than roots. Counterfeit currency also disproportionately harms informal-economy workers who lack the tools to authenticate notes.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Delhi counterfeit currency raid on 5 November 2026?
Delhi Police raided Neelam Guest House in Paharganj on 5 November 2026 and arrested two men — Dinesh Kumar Jha and Satish Kumar — both residents of Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹2,65,100 were recovered from their possession before they could find any buyer.
What denominations of fake notes were seized from the two accused?
From Dinesh Kumar Jha, police seized four counterfeit ₹500 notes, 1,000 notes of ₹200, 351 notes of ₹100, and 160 notes of ₹50 — totalling ₹2,45,100. From Satish Kumar, 100 counterfeit ₹200 notes worth ₹20,000 were recovered.
Who is the alleged supplier of the counterfeit notes?
The two accused allegedly disclosed during interrogation that the fake currency was supplied to them by a third person identified only as 'S'. Police are investigating this individual's role and attempting to uncover the wider network.
What charges have been filed in the case?
A case has been registered at Paharganj police station as FIR No. 437/26 under Sections 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Both accused have been produced before a court.
Does either accused have a prior criminal record?
Yes. Dinesh Kumar Jha was previously booked in a counterfeit currency case in 2023 at the Patparganj Industrial Area police station in Delhi, under Sections 489B, 489C and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
