Following the money ban movement launched by the Centre, more than 97 percent of the now defunct Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes lie in the coffers of the Reserve Bank of India. However, it appears that the demonetised currency is still in possession of some people.
The South District police have arrested four people who were caught carrying Rs 6.18 crore in the denominations of old Rs 500 and Rs1000 notes. The accused claimed that they were on their way to Safdarjung market to exchange the money on Tuesday night.
The accused, Surrender Goel, Sachin Kumar, Shivkumar and Rajiv, also stated that were property dealers. All the four are residents of various areas of West Delhi and are being questioned about the source of the money.
The Delhi Police have informed the Income Tax department.
According to a senior police official, the case came to light when the police received a tip-off regarding the movement of old currency notes in two cars which were on their way to Safdarjung market. "We had worked on the input using our local sources and found that the money was being moved around in Ritz and Honda city car. So we set up barricades near Safdarjung market," the official said.
After the cars were intercepted, the cops found a bag filled with old currency notes. The cops counted the currency in denominations of old Rs 1000 and Rs 500, which came down to a total value of Rs 6.18 crore.
"They have been questioned and they have not been able to tell us about the source of their income. They claimed that it was from their property dealing business and were on their way to exchange the money at Safdarjung market. So far we have not been able to ascertain the receiver of the money," the official added. The police booked the arrested under section 41 (1)(D) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the currency was seized under 102 CRPC. The police have also informed the Income Tax Department about the issue.