Daijiworld Media Network - Malegaon

Malegaon, Nov 5: In a sensational revelation, a suspended government doctor from Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the alleged mastermind behind an inter-state Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) racket busted recently in Maharashtra’s Malegaon. The racket came to light following the arrest of two individuals, including a Muslim cleric from Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh.

According to police sources, the arrested duo Mohd Zubair, an Imam from Burhanpur district, and his associate Nazir Akram Ansari were reportedly acting as couriers in the fake currency network. During interrogation, both revealed that Dr Prateek Navlakhe, a suspended medical officer from Burhanpur, was the one supplying them with the counterfeit notes.

A senior officer from the Madhya Pradesh Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) stated that efforts are underway to trace Navlakhe, who is currently absconding. “The interrogation suggests that the suspended doctor was the key supplier. His arrest will be crucial in uncovering the source of printing,” the officer said.

Investigations further revealed that both the Imam and Navlakhe have a history of criminal activities. Zubair, accused in multiple cases of robbery and financial fraud, reportedly met Navlakhe while lodged in Khandwa jail. It was during this period that Navlakhe allegedly roped him into the fake currency racket.

Navlakhe, who once served at the Burhanpur district hospital, had earlier been suspended for several financial irregularities including opening a fraudulent bank account in a peon’s name and misappropriating Rs 24 lakh, as well as selling hospital equipment worth Rs 25 lakh as scrap. He was also suspected of involvement in hawala transactions, cricket betting, and even human trafficking.

Police officials confirmed that counterfeit currency in Rs 500 denomination worth approximately Rs 30 lakh has been seized so far from the accused in Malegaon on October 30, and later from Zubair’s quarters at an Imambara in Khandwa on November 2.

The SIT continues its hunt for Dr Navlakhe and others possibly linked to the interstate fake currency syndicate, which is suspected to have a much wider network across India.