In the past five and a half years, Maharashtra has recorded 273 cases involving fake currency. A total of 566 people have been arrested in connection with these cases. This information was shared by the state administration in a written reply to the Legislative Council on Wednesday, July 16.
The issue was raised by legislators Sanjay Khodke and Eknath Khadse. They asked how many counterfeit currency printing operations had been raided by the government.
Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed in a written reply to the Assembly that Bhiwandi and Pune have become key areas for counterfeit money. Despite the demonetisation move in 2016, the problem of fake notes remains in the state. Police have seized fake notes worth INR 1.4 crore during this period.
1. In 2020, there were 34 cases and 71 arrests.
2. In 2021, there were 48 cases and 98 arrests.
3. In 2022, 46 cases led to 99 arrests.
4. In 2023, 40 cases resulted in 82 arrests.
5. In 2024, 68 cases led to 138 arrests.
6. In the first half of 2025, 37 cases were registered and 78 people were arrested.
Fadnavis said major cases were reported at Shivajinagar Police Station in Bhiwandi and in Pune. He said this shows how widespread the fake currency network has become.
In April this year, Pune police recovered counterfeit notes worth INR 28.91 lakh. On May 3, the Bhiwandi crime branch under the Thane Commissionerate raided a business suspected of printing fake notes. During the operation, police found fake notes worth INR 45.50 lakh. INR 30 lakh of this was seized from one accused person.
Fadnavis said six people from the Bhiwandi case and seven from the Pune case were sent to jail by the courts. Police and other authorities have taken action against active groups involved in printing fake money.
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