NIA raids 8 locations in Bihar, Jharkhand, Bengal in FICN smuggling case
Synopsis
The NIA fanned out across eight locations in three states on 4 November, seizing digital devices, documents, and Bangladeshi currency in a fake Indian currency case rooted in Bihar's Aurangabad district. The recovery of Bangladeshi currency and the Malda angle point to a cross-border smuggling network — and with a fresh charge sheet already filed in a linked Madhubani case, the agency appears to be systematically tightening its grip on eastern India's FICN trail.
Key Takeaways
The NIA searched 8 locations across Bihar , Jharkhand , and West Bengal on 4 November 2026 in a fake currency case.
The case involves counterfeit notes with a face value of ₹2,48,500 recovered in Aurangabad district, Bihar .
Four accused — Surendra Kumar , Vijay Yadav , Ranjan , and Pradeep Saw — were named when the case was first registered on 15 August .
Seized materials include digital devices , incriminating documents , and Bangladeshi currency , suggesting a cross-border dimension.
The NIA also filed a charge sheet on 30 October in a separate FICN case in Madhubani , Bihar, involving ₹50,150 in counterfeit notes.
The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered the NIA takeover of the Aurangabad case on 18 October .
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, conducted simultaneous searches at eight locations across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in connection with a fake Indian currency notes (FICN) smuggling case involving counterfeit notes with a face value of ₹2.48 lakh. The coordinated operation marks a significant escalation in the agency's crackdown on cross-border counterfeit currency networks in eastern India.
Locations Searched
NIA teams fanned out across two locations in Aurangabad district and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two locations in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, and one location in Malda district of West Bengal. The geographic spread — spanning three states — points to an organised distribution network rather than an isolated local operation.
What Was Seized
During the searches, NIA teams recovered digital devices, incriminating documents, Bangladeshi currency, and other materials believed to be relevant to the investigation. The presence of Bangladeshi currency is a notable find, suggesting possible cross-border dimensions to the alleged smuggling network. The agency is currently examining all seized materials to map possible links and determine the full extent of the operation.
Background: How the Case Began
The case originated from the recovery of fake Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹2,48,500 within the jurisdiction of Madanpur Police Station in Aurangabad district, Bihar. A case was first registered at the Madanpur Police Station on 15 August against four accused persons — Surendra Kumar, Vijay Yadav, Ranjan, and Pradeep Saw alias Pradeep Kumar Saw. The NIA subsequently re-registered the case on 18 October following an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs, taking over the probe from local police.
Linked Case: NIA Charge Sheet in Madhubani
Wednesday's raids come days after a parallel development in the same region. On 30 October, the NIA filed a charge sheet against two accused — Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut alias Mehman — in connection with a separate seizure of FICN worth ₹50,150 in Madhubani district of Bihar. The charge sheet was filed under Sections 61(2), 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. That case involved the recovery of 281 counterfeit currency notes from Duhabi Bazar in the Basopatti area of Madhubani on 2 August.
Investigation Continues
The NIA has stated that its probe so far indicates the accused were allegedly involved in organised FICN smuggling. The latest searches are aimed at gathering further evidence and establishing the broader network behind the alleged operation. The Malda connection is particularly significant — the district in West Bengal has historically been flagged by security agencies as a transit point for counterfeit currency entering India from Bangladesh. Further investigation is underway, and additional arrests or charge sheets cannot be ruled out.
Point of View
And by 4 November, eight search warrants had been executed. That pace suggests credible intelligence, not routine procedure. The unanswered question is whether the network has political protection — historically, FICN cases in eastern India have stalled at the arrest stage without convictions. The charge sheet in the Madhubani case, filed under the new BNS framework, will be an early test of whether legal reform translates into faster prosecution.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NIA's fake currency case in Bihar about?
The case involves the recovery of counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹2,48,500 from within the jurisdiction of Madanpur Police Station in Aurangabad district, Bihar. A local FIR was registered on 15 August against four accused, and the NIA took over the investigation on 18 October following a Ministry of Home Affairs order.
Where did the NIA conduct raids on 4 November 2026?
The NIA searched eight locations: two in Aurangabad district and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, and one in Malda district of West Bengal. The multi-state spread indicates investigators believe the alleged FICN network operates across state lines.
What was seized during the NIA raids?
NIA teams seized digital devices, incriminating documents, Bangladeshi currency, and other materials believed to be relevant to the investigation. The recovery of Bangladeshi currency suggests a possible cross-border angle to the alleged smuggling operation.
Who are the accused named in the Bihar fake currency case?
Four persons were named in the original FIR: Surendra Kumar, Vijay Yadav, Ranjan, and Pradeep Saw alias Pradeep Kumar Saw. In a linked Madhubani case, the NIA filed a charge sheet against Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut alias Mehman on 30 October.
What is the significance of Malda in fake currency cases?
Malda district in West Bengal has historically been identified by security agencies as a key transit point for fake Indian currency notes entering from Bangladesh. The inclusion of a Malda location in the latest NIA searches is consistent with this long-standing concern about the district's role in cross-border FICN smuggling.
