The Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested Samajwadi Party leader Rafi Khan and nine others in Kushinagar for their involvement in a fake currency smuggling operation. Authorities seized counterfeit currency worth ₹5,62,000, along with an array of illegal items, including ₹1,10,000 in real currency, ₹3,000 in Nepalese currency, 10 0.315 bore pistols, 30 live cartridges, 12 shells, 4 country-made bombs, 13 mobile phones with 26 fake SIM cards, 10 fake Aadhar cards, 10 ATM cards, 8 laptops, and 2 luxury vehicles.
Investigators believe that Mohammad Rafiq Ahmed, associated with SP Lohia Vahini, is the mastermind behind the counterfeit currency network. Kushinagar Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar Mishra confirmed that a case has been registered at the Tamukhiraj police station. The gang reportedly had connections that extended to Nepal, raising concerns about their broader operations and political affiliations.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Rafiq alias Bablu Khan, Mohammad Rafi Ansari, Rehan Khan, Hashim Khan, Shiraz Hasmati, Aurangzeb alias Laden, Naushad Khan, Parvez Ilahi, Sheikh Jamaluddin, and Niazuddin alias Munna, all from Tumkahiraj. Rafiq Ahmed has a notorious criminal history with 11 registered cases against him, while other gang members have multiple cases as well—ranging from 4 to 8 each.
All suspects are now in custody and will face action under the Gangster Act. The investigation is ongoing, with police looking into their political connections and the full scope of their criminal activities.
