New 2,000, 500 rupee notes seized in fake currency haul: Home ministry to Lok Sabha

Union minister told the Lok Sabha that 11,038 of the notes were for Rs 2000, and 47,700 of the pieces were in Rs 1,000 bills that were pulled out of circulation in November.

Police seized fake banknotes, including the new 2000 and 500 rupee bills, with a face value of Rs 9.34 crore in the country in the first six months of the year, the Lok Sabha has been told.

The highest number of Rs 2,000 notes was recovered from Gujarat. (PTI Representative Photo)

While 11,038 of the notes were for Rs 2000, 47,700 of the pieces were in Rs 1,000 bills that were pulled out of circulation in November, minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir told the lower house on Tuesday, citing the National Crime Records Bureau data for January 1-June 30 period.

The government had in a surprise decision on November 8 scrapped 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes to curb fake currency and black money.

It also came out with a Rs 2,000 note and a new bill for Rs 500, saying they had several security features and would be hard to fake.

The minister said 41,991 pieces of fake Rs 500 bills were also seized along with 26,460 notes of 100 rupees.