₹7.4 Crore Fake Currency Found in PNB Vault, SIT Launches Probe

September 1, 2026

Saharanpur: A major fraud involving the currency chest of Punjab National Bank (PNB) in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has come to light. ₹7.4 crore worth of genuine notes were allegedly exchanged for counterfeit notes in the bank’s currency vault. Police have registered an FIR against bank officials and some private individuals and have begun an investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter.

FIR against several people, including bank officials

The case was registered at the Sadar police station based on a complaint by PNB nodal officer Arun Kumar Choubey. The FIR names Senior Divisional Manager Ravi Kumar, Currency Chest Managers Sushil Sharma and Amit Kumar as the primary suspects. A separate report has also been filed against Vishal Kumar, a housekeeper at the bank, for the cash shortage.

Shortage found in funds sent to RBI

According to PNB Chief Deputy Manager Nisha Singh, the matter began to unravel when a shortage of ₹4.36 lakh was discovered in the cash sent to RBI on August 10th. Following this, a detailed audit was conducted on RBI’s instructions. The discovery of a large number of counterfeit notes during the investigation further exacerbated the situation.

Nisha Singh stated that counting is currently underway to confirm the exact number of counterfeit notes. She stated that full details of the case will be released once the investigation is complete and sufficient evidence is obtained.

SIT scrutinizing CCTV and bank records

According to Saharanpur DIG Abhishek, an FIR has been registered in the case and an SIT is formed, and currency counting is ongoing. He stated that after a detailed investigation, efforts will be made to recover the allegedly embezzled funds.

Investigating agencies are scrutinizing the bank’s transaction records, audit documents, and CCTV footage of the currency chest. Officials say that the main focus of the investigation is to find out how the fake notes reached the currency chest of the bank and who all were involved in this entire matter.