In a joint operation on Tuesday, Basopatti police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) detained Mohammad Abul Inam, alias “Laden”, from Kotwali Chowk in Madhubani town, Bihar, over his alleged links to a Pakistan-based fake Indian currency network operating through the Nepal border route.
DSP Jaynagar Raghav Dayal confirmed that an FIR has been registered at Basopatti police station and that further investigations are underway. According to officials, Inam is suspected of facilitating the movement and circulation of high-quality counterfeit Indian currency notes reportedly printed in Pakistan and smuggled into Bihar through Nepal.
He is also accused of helping a Pakistani national, Mohammad Ansari alias Mastan, believed to be a key handler in the racket, escape via the Nepal border. Intelligence agencies have questioned the accused, and efforts are ongoing to trace the absconding handler and dismantle the wider network.
Joint Operation in Border District Raises Security Concerns
The arrest was carried out at Kotwali Chowk in Madhubani town following coordinated surveillance inputs shared between Basopatti police and the SSB, the force responsible for guarding India’s border with Nepal. Officials said the region has long been sensitive due to its porous stretches and the frequent cross-border movement of people for trade, work and family ties. DSP Jaynagar Raghav Dayal stated that a formal First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged and that investigators are examining digital records, call details and financial transactions linked to the accused.
Police sources claim that Inam had been under watch for nearly a year amid suspicions that he was connected to individuals involved in transporting counterfeit Indian currency notes allegedly printed in Pakistan. The notes were reportedly smuggled through Nepal before being distributed in border districts of Bihar, particularly in and around Madhubani.
Officials believe the counterfeit currency was of high quality, making detection difficult in routine transactions and raising concerns about its potential economic impact. Intelligence Bureau officers have also questioned Inam to determine whether the network extends beyond Bihar into other states. Authorities emphasised that the probe is ongoing and that more arrests may follow depending on the findings.
Alleged Handler on the Run and Broader Network Under Probe
Investigators allege that Inam not only helped circulate counterfeit currency but also assisted Mohammad Ansari alias Mastan, described as a Pakistani national and alleged handler in the network, in escaping through the Nepal border route during an earlier smuggling case. Security agencies believe the cross-border channel may have been operational for at least a year, exploiting gaps in monitoring and blending illegal consignments with legitimate cross-border movement.
While officials have not publicly confirmed links to any organised extremist outfits, they have acknowledged that the scale and sophistication of the alleged operation indicate coordination beyond local actors. The porous Indo-Nepal border, which allows visa-free movement for citizens of both countries under long-standing bilateral arrangements, has occasionally been misused by criminal elements for smuggling activities. Border towns such as Jainagar and Basopatti, known for vibrant people-to-people ties, are now under increased scrutiny as agencies attempt to identify routes, financiers and distributors linked to the alleged racket.
Officials said that special teams are working to trace Ansari’s whereabouts and to map communication trails that could reveal additional associates. Forensic analysis of seized materials and electronic devices is underway. Law enforcement authorities have reiterated that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and urged the public not to speculate while due process unfolds.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The alleged counterfeit currency network highlights the complex security challenges faced by border regions, where cultural exchange and economic interdependence coexist with vulnerabilities that can be exploited by criminal elements.
Fake currency not only undermines economic stability but also erodes trust among traders, small business owners and daily wage earners who may unknowingly fall victim to fraudulent transactions. At the same time, it is vital that investigations remain evidence-based, transparent and respectful of individual rights.
