Belgharia couple arrested in fake currency racket, ₹70 crore seized during raid

A couple from Belgharia in North 24 Parganas has been arrested in connection with a fake currency racket after investigators recovered counterfeit notes worth ₹70 crore from their apartment in Saratpalli area under Kamarhati Municipality. A total of seven people, including one Nepalese citizen, have been arrested in the case.

Investigators said the arrested couple, identified as Deepa Dhar and her husband Arindam Dhar, were allegedly involved in an illegal network dealing in fake currency. During a raid at their flat, officials recovered trunks filled with cash and counterfeit notes along with 12 mobile phones and a luxury car.

According to investigators, the couple had been living in the Saratpalli area for several years. Deepa is a local resident, while Arindam originally belongs to Harinavi in Sonarpur of South 24 Parganas. Intelligence officials believe the operation began after the couple travelled to Nepal in 2024 and allegedly became involved in the smuggling network.

Officials suspect that the accused used video calls to show bundles of fake currency to businessmen and lure them into investing money in fraudulent business deals, promising that their investments would double. The couple allegedly used the proceeds to maintain a lavish lifestyle, often hosting late-night parties attended by businessmen.

Investigators are now trying to trace the source of the counterfeit currency and determine whether a larger international smuggling network is involved. All seven arrested individuals are being interrogated as authorities continue their investigation into the case.