Fake currency case: Key accused shot in leg while trying to escape police custody

GUWAHATI: A key accused in a counterfeit currency case was shot in the leg by police after he allegedly tried to escape from custody during an evidence recovery operation in Guwahati, Assam. The injured man has been identified as Ajay Vishwakarma, who was arrested recently for his alleged involvement in a counterfeit currency racket.

The incident took place on Friday night. During interrogation, Vishwakarma reportedly told police that a machine used to print fake currency notes had been hidden near Kalakshetra in Guwahati. Acting on the information, police took him to the location as part of the evidence recovery process. According to police, Vishwakarma attempted to flee after reaching the spot. Officers tried to stop him and initially fired warning shots into the air. When he continued to run, police opened fire below the waist, and one of the bullets struck him in the leg. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Earlier, police had seized counterfeit currency worth Rs 13.46 lakh during raids at two locations in Guwahati. The operation was carried out by Dispur Police on June 30 and July 1. Five people have been arrested in connection with the case. Police said three of the accused are from Kanpur in Uttarakhand, while the remaining two are residents of Silapathar in Assam. Investigators believe the case is linked to a larger counterfeit currency network. The officials said efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.