Nepal-Bengal cops’ joint op busts Rs 70cr fake currency racket
Times of India | 10 March 2026
Kolkata: A team of Nepal Police's intelligence wing, assisted by its Bengal counterpart, arrested seven people, including a couple, and seized counterfeit currency with a face value of nearly Rs 70 crore from a flat in Belgharia, North 24 Parganas, on Monday.
The raid was conducted at an apartment in Sarat Pally, Ward 21, under Kamarhati Municipality. The flat was occupied by Deepa Dhar, a local resident, and her husband Arindam Dhar, who hails from Harinavi in Sonarpur, South 24 Parganas. Among those arrested was a Nepalese national.
Besides the counterfeit notes, 12 mobile phones and a luxury car were seized. Officials said the couple travelled to Nepal in 2024 and are suspected of being involved in a cross-border counterfeit currency racket. Officials suspect the racket is linked to an international smuggling network. All the accused are being interrogated to trace the source of the notes and identify other members of the syndicate.
Neighbours said the flat in the posh complex had long attracted attention for frequent, extravagant parties. "We had heard they were very wealthy and influential. Russian belly dancers used to visit the house, and there were parties with drinks and music," said Sayandeep Saha, a local.
"We cannot believe such an illegal operation was being run from here," said Moumita Bose, a neighbour.