NIA arrests second accused in ₹17.29 crore fake currency case at Saharanpur PNB chest
Synopsis
A contractual driver at a Punjab National Bank currency chest in Saharanpur is the second person arrested by the NIA in a ₹17.29 crore counterfeit currency conspiracy — a case that has already led to the suspension of three bank employees and raises uncomfortable questions about how fake notes of this magnitude ended up inside a facility meant to safeguard India's legal tender.
Key Takeaways
The NIA arrested Adesh Choudhary , a contractual driver at the PNB Civil Lines currency chest in Saharanpur , on 16 September 2026 .
Counterfeit Indian currency notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore were recovered from the currency chest.
The scam was first detected on 29 August 2026 ; an FIR was filed under Section 178 of the BNS, 2023 .
The NIA re-registered the case on 3 September 2026 and had earlier arrested accused Amit Kumar on 7 September 2026 .
Three bank employees have been suspended; the agency is investigating their roles and those of other associates.
NIA investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the fake notes and arrest remaining suspects.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, arrested Adesh Choudhary, a contractual driver attached to the Punjab National Bank (PNB) currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, in connection with a counterfeit Indian currency conspiracy involving fake notes with a face value of ₹17.29 crore. The arrest marks the second key detention in the case, which centres on the discovery of high-value counterfeit notes inside the bank's Civil Lines currency chest.
How the Scam Came to Light
The case surfaced on 29 August 2026, when the Sadar Bazar Police Station in Saharanpur received credible information about the presence of counterfeit Indian currency notes inside the PNB currency chest. A preliminary inquiry that followed revealed the alleged involvement of three bank employees, who were subsequently suspended by the bank's management.
An FIR was registered the same day under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against the three accused. The NIA took over the investigation and re-registered the case on 3 September 2026.
Profile of the Arrested Accused
Adesh Choudhary is a resident of Gangoh Road, New Nandpuri Colony, under Qutub Sher Police Station in Manak Mau, Saharanpur. According to the NIA's press statement, he is suspected to have played a significant role in the larger racket involving the circulation of high-value fake currency notes, despite his designation as a contractual driver at the currency chest facility.
Earlier, on 7 September 2026, the NIA had arrested another accused named in the FIR, Amit Kumar. With Choudhary's arrest, the agency has now taken two key individuals into custody in connection with the conspiracy.
Security Concerns at Currency Handling Facilities
The recovery of counterfeit notes worth more than ₹17 crore from within a bank currency chest — a facility designed for the secure storage and distribution of legal tender — has raised serious questions about security protocols at such institutions. Currency chests are authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to store and distribute banknotes on its behalf, making any breach a matter of systemic concern.
This case is among the larger counterfeit currency recoveries from within a formal banking facility in recent years, and the involvement of bank employees and support staff has drawn attention to internal oversight mechanisms.
Investigation Status and What Comes Next
NIA teams are continuing intensive investigations to determine the full extent of the conspiracy, trace the source of the counterfeit notes, and identify remaining co-accused and suspects. The agency is also examining the roles of the three suspended bank employees and any associates who may have facilitated the operation, according to the official statement.
With two arrests made and the probe widening, the NIA's findings on the supply chain and distribution network of the fake currency are expected to be a critical next step in the case.
Point of View
With alleged complicity from employees and support staff, points to a gap between prescribed security protocols and ground-level enforcement. The NIA's involvement signals that investigators believe this is not an isolated act but part of a structured distribution network. The real question mainstream coverage has not yet pressed: how long were these notes inside the chest, and how many may have already entered circulation?
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Adesh Choudhary and why was he arrested by the NIA?
Adesh Choudhary is a contractual driver attached to the Punjab National Bank currency chest in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The NIA arrested him on 16 September 2026 on suspicion of playing a significant role in a counterfeit currency racket involving fake notes worth ₹17.29 crore recovered from the bank's Civil Lines currency chest.
How was the ₹17.29 crore counterfeit currency scam in Saharanpur discovered?
The case came to light on 29 August 2026, when Sadar Bazar Police Station in Saharanpur received credible information about counterfeit Indian currency notes inside the PNB currency chest. A preliminary inquiry revealed the alleged involvement of three bank employees, who were subsequently suspended.
What is the current status of the NIA investigation?
The NIA re-registered the case on 3 September 2026 and has so far arrested two accused — Amit Kumar on 7 September and Adesh Choudhary on 16 September 2026. The agency is continuing investigations to identify the source of the fake notes, trace the supply chain, and arrest remaining suspects.
Which law was invoked when the FIR was filed in this case?
An FIR was registered on 29 August 2026 at Sadar Bazar Police Station under Section 178 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against the three accused initially identified in the case.
Why is the Saharanpur counterfeit currency case significant?
The case is significant because counterfeit notes worth ₹17.29 crore were allegedly found inside a PNB currency chest — an RBI-authorised facility for secure storage and distribution of legal tender. The alleged involvement of bank employees and support staff raises serious concerns about internal security protocols at currency handling institutions.
