Centre issues alert over high-quality fake Rs 500 notes; Highlights key identifier
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a high-priority alert to financial regulatory bodies, enforcement agencies, and banks dealing in cash, following intelligence reports of “high-quality” counterfeit Rs 500 notes entering circulation.
The alert, as cited by The New Indian Express, highlights a key identifier between the fake and genuine notes— a subtle spelling error in the fake currency. Instead of “RESERVE BANK OF INDIA,” the counterfeit notes bear the misspelled phrase “RSERVE BANK OF INDIA”.
Despite the near-perfect resemblance in print quality and design to genuine notes, this minor typographical flaw is being described by officials as “very subtle” and potentially easy to overlook. Institutions that handle large volumes of currency — such as banks, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), National Investigation Agency (NIA), and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) — have been put on high alert.
Institutions handling currency have been asked to remain on high alert, as intelligence reports suggest that counterfeit notes may have already entered circulation, TNIE quoted officials as saying. They added that an image of the suspected counterfeit currency has also been circulated to aid identification.
The government has urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious currency to authorities immediately.
When asked about the possible volume of counterfeit notes that may have entered the Indian market, a senior investigative official noted that no agency can accurately assess the figure, as data is compiled from diverse sources, including notes submitted by citizens to banks. However, he added, the actual number may far exceed reported statistics.
In a recent response in Parliament, the government outlined the steps taken to combat the spread of fake currency. These include stringent legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as well as the formation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the FICN Coordination Group (FCORD), and the Terror Funding and Fake Currency (TFFC) Cell.
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Thunderstorm hits Lucknow, IMD issues red alert across multiple UP districts
Lucknow: Shortly after the India Meteorological Department issued a red alert warning of severe weather conditions in the region, a sudden thunderstorm hit Lucknow and adjoining districts on Monday morning.
The Indian Express reported that the skies turned dark around 8:45 am as strong winds lashed parts of the city. Incidents of tree falls were reported from several locations, disrupting traffic and normal movement.
The weather department said thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and gusty winds of 40 to 60 kmph are likely to continue over the next three hours across several districts.
A red alert has been issued for districts including Unnao, Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti and Lakhimpur Kheri, where moderate thunderstorms with hail and strong winds may damage trees, power lines and temporary structures.
An orange alert is in place for Rae Bareli, Amethi, Kanpur Nagar, Ayodhya, Kanpur Dehat, Auraiya, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur and Balrampur, where thunderstorms with lightning and winds up to 60 kmph could lead to localised disruptions.
Major parts of the state remains under yellow alert, including districts such as Prayagraj, Agra, Bareilly, Aligarh and Moradabad, where light rain, lightning and winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected.
Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors, avoid open areas and trees during lightning, and secure loose objects.
