Nu 0.1 Million seized from suspect’s house in Kumargram
A resident of Kumargram in Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India, was arrested on the night of April 27th, 2025, in Jaigaon after allegedly attempting to purchase a mobile phone using counterfeit Bhutanese currency. Alipurduar police are actively pursuing leads to uncover the source of the fake notes.
The suspect, identified as Kalyan Roy, is a resident of Bara Daldali in the Kumargram block of Alipurduar district. He was caught around 2130 hours on April 27 at a mobile phone store in Bhagat Singh Nagar, Jaigaon, after attempting to pay for a phone, using suspicious currency notes.
The shopkeeper, sensing something unusual about the cash, alerted the local police. Upon verification, the notes—denominated entirely in Nu 500—were confirmed to be counterfeit, totaling Nu 0.12 million approximately.
Roy was immediately taken into custody and later produced before the Alipurduar District Court on April 28. The police requested a seven-day remand to further investigate his possible connections to a larger counterfeit currency network.
The Superintendent of Police (SP) in Jaigaon, Palzor Bhutia, confirmed Business Bhutan that the investigation is ongoing.
“We have seized an additional Nu 100,000 in counterfeit notes from his house in Kumargram,” SP Bhutia stated.
District Superintendent of Police Y. Raghuvamshi told local Indian media that an investigation has been launched to determine whether Roy is connected to an international counterfeit currency smuggling racket. Preliminary reports suggest potential links to a racket operating out of Assam.
The case highlights a growing concern regarding the spread of fake Bhutanese currency in border regions, which could have economic and security implications for both Bhutan and India.
Legal Context
Under Section 489B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the use of counterfeit currency is a serious criminal offense. The section states: “Whoever uses, or attempts to use as genuine, or knowing it to be counterfeit, any currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to be fined.”
This provision is a critical element of India’s legal framework to protect the integrity of its financial system. It penalizes individuals who knowingly use or attempt to use counterfeit currency, recognizing the significant economic harm such actions can cause.
Authorities stated that the circulation of fake currency undermines public trust in the monetary system, causes financial losses to businesses and individuals, and poses a serious threat to national economic stability. Accordingly, Indian law mandates stringent penalties for those involved in counterfeiting.
As the investigation unfolds, both Bhutanese and Indian authorities are expected to coordinate closely to prevent further circulation of counterfeit Ngultrum and identify the sources fueling such illicit activities.
Sangay Rabten from Thimphu
