Pune: In a significant operation, the Sahakarnagar police arrested a man in possession of counterfeit currency amounting to ₹5.25 lakh.

The suspect, Nilesh Hirachand Veerkar (33), was found carrying 250 counterfeit ₹500 notes and was arrested near the Padmavati bus stop on Satara Road.

The incident took place when a police investigation team, led by constables Amol Pawar and Mahesh Mandlik, was on routine patrol near the bus stop. The officers noticed Nilesh behaving suspiciously and quickly heading towards Swargate.

Suspecting something amiss, the officers pursued him and apprehended him a short distance away. Upon being stopped, Nilesh gave evasive answers about his behavior and frequently reached into his pockets, which prompted the officers to search him. During the search, they discovered a bundle of ₹500 notes.

When questioned, Nilesh admitted that the notes were counterfeit and revealed that he was planning to use them in the local market under the cover of night to avoid detection. The police immediately took him into custody and seized the fake notes.

The operation was supervised by senior officers, including Additional Police Commissioner Pravin Kumar Patil, Deputy Police Commissioner Smartna Patil, and Assistant Police Commissioner Nandini Wagyani.

The arrest and investigation were led by Senior Police Inspector Chhagan Kapse, Crime Inspector Uttam Bhajanawale, Assistant Police Inspector Sagar Patil, and a team of dedicated officers,

including Assistant Sub-Inspector Bapu Khutwad and constables Amol Pawar, Mahesh Mandlik, Kiran Kamble, and others. The swift action by the police ensured the counterfeit currency was prevented from entering circulation.