OBJECTIVE
The Investigating Officer (IO) shall focus on:
Detection of counterfeit currency networks.
Identification of source, suppliers, carriers, distributors, and receivers.
Collection of scientific, documentary, and digital evidence.
Prevention of circulation of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).
Arrest and prosecution of offenders.
Conducting a professional and legally sustainable investigation.
KEY INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVES
A. Statement of Complainant and Witnesses
Bank officials.
Cashiers.
Shopkeepers.
Currency exchangers.
Members of the public.
B. Scientific Evidence
FSL Report.
Currency Examination Report.
Fingerprints.
Digital Evidence.
C. Source Identification
Printing source.
Supply chain.
Distribution network.
Organized crime involvement.
D. Conviction of Offenders
Through scientific, documentary, and oral evidence.
I. REGISTRATION OF FIR
Register FIR under appropriate provisions of law.
Send copies of FIR to:
Court.
Supervisory Officers.
Concerned Units.
Hand over a copy of FIR to the complainant with acknowledgment.
Record statement of complainant in vernacular language.
II. SCENE OF OFFENCE INVESTIGATION
Visit the scene immediately.
Secure and preserve the scene.
Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude).
Conduct Scene Observation Panchanama.
Prepare Rough Sketch.
III. SEIZURE OF COUNTERFEIT CURRENCY
The IO shall:
Seize counterfeit notes in the presence of independent mediators.
Avoid use of stock panch witnesses.
Record:
Denomination.
Quantity.
Serial Numbers.
Series Numbers.
Condition of notes.
Photograph and videograph seized currency.
IV. DOCUMENTATION OF CURRENCY
For each counterfeit note record:
Denomination.
Serial Number.
Prefix.
Series.
Year.
Security features present or absent.
Distinguishing marks.
Prepare a separate inventory.
V. FORENSIC EXAMINATION
The IO shall:
Forward counterfeit currency to FSL through Court.
Obtain acknowledgment.
Request examination regarding:
Genuineness.
Printing process.
Security features.
Source indicators.
Preserve chain of custody.
VI. INVESTIGATION OF SOURCE
The IO shall ascertain:
Source of Notes
Who supplied the notes.
Where received.
Mode of transport.
Financial transactions involved.
Distribution Chain
Supplier.
Carrier.
Distributor.
Receiver.
Retail circulator.
VII. EXAMINATION OF ACCUSED
The IO shall investigate:
Knowledge of counterfeit nature.
Intention to circulate.
Previous involvement.
Financial transactions.
Links with organized crime groups.
Interstate or international connections.
VIII. SEARCH AND SEIZURE
During searches, the IO shall seize:
Fake currency.
Printers.
Scanners.
Computers.
Laptops.
Hard Disks.
Pen Drives.
Mobile Phones.
Printing Plates.
Ink.
Special Paper.
Security Thread Material.
Digital Files.
IX. DIGITAL INVESTIGATION
The IO shall collect:
Mobile data.
Call Detail Records (CDR).
WhatsApp chats.
Telegram messages.
Email communications.
Social media interactions.
Bank account details.
UPI transaction history.
X. FINGERPRINT AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
Send seized articles for fingerprint examination.
Obtain latent fingerprints from:
Currency bundles.
Printing equipment.
Packing material.
Correlate with accused persons.
XI. WITNESS EXAMINATION
Examine:
Bank officials.
Currency examiners.
Shopkeepers.
Transporters.
Couriers.
Witnesses to seizure.
FSL Experts.
Record statements promptly.
XII. ARREST OF ACCUSED
After collecting prima facie evidence:
Arrest accused according to law.
Follow:
Section 41 CrPC/BNSS.
Constitutional safeguards.
Supreme Court guidelines.
Arrest Memo
Prepare:
Arrest Memo.
Personal Search Memo.
Grounds of Arrest.
XIII. INTERROGATION POINTS
Ascertain:
Source of counterfeit notes.
Manufacturing location.
Distribution channels.
Other conspirators.
Financial gain.
Cross-border links.
Organized syndicate involvement.
XIV. INVESTIGATION OF ORGANIZED NETWORK
The IO shall verify:
Interstate gangs.
Cross-border smuggling routes.
Terror financing links.
Organized criminal syndicates.
Money laundering aspects.
Where necessary, coordinate with:
Intelligence Agencies.
NIA.
DRI.
RBI Authorities.
State Intelligence Units.
XV. COURT PROCEEDINGS
The IO shall:
Oppose bail where justified.
File applications through PP for:
Police Custody.
Remand Extension.
Verification of Sureties.
Test Identification Parade.
Maintain liaison with Public Prosecutor.
XVI. CHARGE SHEET
The Draft Charge Sheet shall establish:
Possession
Recovery from accused.
Knowledge
Awareness that currency was counterfeit.
Intention
Intention to circulate or use as genuine.
Conspiracy
Links with suppliers and distributors.
Scientific Evidence
FSL Report.
Fingerprint Report.
Digital Evidence.
Documentary Evidence
Bank Records.
Transaction Records.
Communication Records.
Obtain PP/APPO opinion before filing.
XVII. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Deposit seized property before Court.
Obtain Property Identification (PI) Number.
Maintain chain of custody.
Preserve counterfeit notes safely until final disposal.
RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTIGATING OFFICER
The IO shall ensure:
Immediate seizure and preservation of counterfeit notes.
Scientific examination through FSL.
Identification of entire distribution chain.
Collection of digital and financial evidence.
Arrest of all persons involved.
Effective prosecution through legally admissible evidence.
GOAL
To identify, dismantle, and prosecute counterfeit currency networks, prevent circulation of fake currency, protect the integrity of the Indian monetary system, and secure conviction through scientific, documentary, digital, and oral evidence.