Teen Held With Fake ₹500 Notes While Trying to Watch ‘Underwater Mermaid Show’ in Jhansi

Jhansi: A 16-year-old boy was detained by police after he attempted to purchase a ticket for an Underwater Mermaid Show at the ongoing Jhansi Festival using counterfeit currency. The incident came to light when the fair manager grew suspicious of a ₹500 note tendered by the teenager and immediately alerted the police.

According to officials, the incident occurred at the exhibition ground where the popular underwater show is drawing large crowds. When the teenager approached the ticket counter, the manager noticed irregularities in the currency note and informed the Nawabad police station. Police personnel arrived at the spot and took the minor into custody for questioning.

During a search, police recovered two counterfeit ₹500 notes from the teenager. Initial interrogation revealed that the boy had allegedly used fake currency on multiple occasions in the past without being caught.

Fake Currency Supplied by Local Man

The minor told police that the fake notes were supplied by Sachin Richharia, a resident of Rajgarh under the Premnagar police station limits. He claimed that Richharia had repeatedly given him counterfeit notes and asked him to circulate them. While the teenager managed to pass the notes earlier, he was caught this time due to the alertness of the fair staff.

Case Registered, Network Under Scanner

Police have registered a case under Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against both the minor and the accused supplier. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest Sachin Richharia.

Senior police officials said they are now probing the entire fake currency network operating in and around Jhansi. Investigators are trying to identify the source of the counterfeit notes and determine how such currency is being circulated locally.

“The case is being taken seriously, especially since a minor was being used to circulate fake currency,” a police officer said, adding that further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.