LUCKNOW: A madrasa manager in Shravasti was arrested along with four others for operating a counterfeit Indian currency racket. The manager, identified as Mubarak Ali alias Noori, used a room in the madrasa to print fake notes. His four arrested associates include Zamir Ahmed, Dharamraj Shukla, Ramsevak, and Awadhesh Kumar Pandey.
Noori reportedly has three wives, one of whom is a madrasa teacher. Ali distributed the counterfeit currency to his wives, who circulated it in markets and nearby towns.
On Wednesday night, the police busted the racket by raiding the madrasa premises where fake currency was printed. Police recovered fake currency worth Rs 34,500 along with genuine notes worth another Rs 14,500. A printer, two laptops, and printer ink cartridges were also recovered from the madrasa.
Superintendent of police, Shravasti, Ghanshyam Chaurasia, said that Mubarak Ali alias Noori is the gang leader, linked to multiple cases in Gonda, Bahraich, and Malhipur. Another accused, Jameel Ahmed, is involved in two cases in Payagpur. Dharmraj Shukla is also involved in other cases, and Ramsevak is an accused in cases in Bahraich. The last member of the gang, Awadhesh Kumar Pandey, was charged under the Arms Act in Sonwa.
SP Ghanshyam Chaurasia announced a ₹25,000 cash reward for the team involved in the operation. ASP Praveen Kumar Yadav and CO Santosh Kumar will also receive commendation certificates.
“We are still trying to probe against the gang and find remaining members of the gang,” he said.
