Fake notes printed from Karnataka jail enter Goa
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
BELGAUM, DEC 12
Incidents of misuse of prisons in the country are not a new thing, the fact that may be ascertained as some of the prisons in Karnataka are allegedly being misused by miscreants.
According to highly placed sources, some prisons in Karnataka have not only become safe havens for criminals, but are also encouraging inmates to carry out illegal activities without hassles.
Sources revealed that a racket involved in printing and circulating counterfeit currency is allegedly operating secretly from inside the Dharwad jail.
The fake currency notes are also allegedly being sent outside the prison and later circulated in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa by a group of youth, sources told Herald.
The racket is getting the printed currency allegedly circulated to various places through a group of youngsters who are being lured with easy money.
The fact that criminals of separate gangs indulge in clashes in prisons has now become common. In Dharwad jail, during a raid conducted by the police officers to conduct raids, several mobile phones, SIM cards, liquor bottles and pistols illegally possessed by several inmates have been recovered. Associates of notorious rowdy Hebbat Manjya of Bangalore were caught red-handed with mobile phones inside the jail.
Sources revealed that some inmates of notorious gangster from Bangalore are allegedly involved in printing counterfeit currency of various higher denominations inside the jail.
For the last several weeks, the fake currency notes are also being sent outside the prison and later circulated in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa by a group of youth, sources said.
“Most of the youths who are carrying the counterfeit currency printed allegedly in the jail hail from parts of Maharashtra and some are from Karnataka. The racket is working cautiously without leaking any news about the print and circulation of the notes outside. A machine is also being used by the group to print the notes secretly inside.”
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Dharwad jail Sangappa who is due for his retirement is said to be on long leave and was not available for comments.
Sources said the illegal activities in the jail are not coming to light due to the smart management of the entire racket by the criminals and some jail authorities.
“The illegal activities are brought to a sudden closure as soon as the news of possible police raids reaches the prison. A noted gangster who is close to many influential politicians is handling the racket from Bangalore and none of the gangsters are worried about the consequences,” sources disclosed.
The inmates who are part of this racket in the jail hail from Mysore, Nelamangala and Belgaum and most of them are the associates of a noted gangster from Bangalore.
The fact was evident as recently Belgaum Police apprehended several youths in Belgaum market when they were busy circulating the fake currency.
