Pics: Steven Kayyar 
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (PS)
 
Kasargod, Jan 3: The police crime branch have registered a case against two people in connection with counterfeit currency notes case in the district.

Cases were registered against Mohammed Kunhi (48) of Kasargod and Masid (53) of Koliyad. With this, the total number of accused in the case has mounted to nine. Six among them have already been arrested.

The crime branch police have already submitted the charge sheet of the nine accused to the Hosadurga first judicial court. The arrested duo are said to be absconding in Dubai. The police have decided to seek assistance from the Interpol.

The crime branch officials said that the duos were engaged in a hawala scandal but the police could not arrest them.
The crime branch police said that the two were sending hawala money from Dubai to Kasargod and some places in Kannur.

The police triggered investigations on arrested Abdul Nasar of Kasargod and the information on these two were obtained by the police. Investigations revealed that another accused, Chethan Kumar of Udupi, provided counterfeit notes to Abdul Nasar twice.

The police also said that Rs 5 lac worth counterfeit notes were distributed initially as per the guidance of Masid and Kunhi and Rs 19 lac worth counterfeit notes were distributed as a second phase. Out of this amount Rs 14 lac was handed over by Nasar to Chetan. The remaining notes were burnt.
 
The counterfeit currency note racket came into light with Abdul Nasar was nabbed by the police while he procured gold from a jewellery store in Kasargod on August 17. He purchased gold worth Rs 1.89 lac and paid with the counterfeit notes.

Investigations revealed that counterfeit notes worth Rs 31 lac entered the district. The notes were printed in Pakistan and reached India via Dubai. The prime accused, Mohideen Haji of Mulur, Udupi, is absconding.