Bengaluru: A Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) driver and depot manager were nabbed, here on Saturday, May 4, in connection with printing of Rs 500 and 2000 counterfeit currency notes.
The duo, BMTC Depot Manager Somanagowda alias Soma (38), a resident of Raichur and BMTC driver Nanjegowda alias Swamy (32) were arrested by the Yelahanka Police.
Along with them, a photographer Kiran Kumar (24), who is accused of assisting them in the illegal activity, is also sent behind the bars.
The police were successful in seizing the fake currency notes with face value of Rs 81.30 Lakh.
Meanwhile, the mastermind Ramakrishna has absconded and police have already begun the search.
According to a BMTC press release, Somanagowda was introduced to Ramakrishna, who ran a fake currency notes printing racket, through his friend Hussain and had given false assurance of doubling the money.
Believing his words, Somanagowda had given him Rs 1 Lakh and in a month Ramakrishna had returned Rs 2 Lakh just to create a trust between them.
Later, a greedy Somanagowda pledged one of his properties for Rs 7.5 Lakh and gave it to Ramakrishna.
After this, when Somanagowda came to know that Ramakrishna was a fraudster, he threatened to commit suicide if the money was not returned on time.
However, Ramakrishna had consoled claiming that he would teach him how to print fake currency notes, so that he could make as much money as he wished.
For this, Somanagowda made a separate house and bought a computer and a colour printer. Once he realised that it was not possible for him to do it alone, he had involved BMTC driver Nanjegowda.
As there was a requirement for a thorough knowledge on Adobe Photoshop, Nanjegowda had involved photographer Kiran Kumar from his home town.
All the three carried out the process of printing fake currency notes at night, while they were on duty during the day.
According to the instructions by Ramakrishna, the trio was transporting the money in a vehicle.
On April 26, at Kogilu Cross, the Yelahanka Police nabbed them.
Meanwhile, the BMTC higher authority has confirmed that Depot Manager Somanagowda and driver Nanjegowda had been suspended and subjected to departmental investigation.
