NAGPUR: Wathoda police busted an alleged counterfeit currency printing unit operating from a flat in Three Star Cooperative Society on Saturday, seizing fake ₹500 notes worth ₹37 lakh, along with a laptop, high-tech colour printer and paper cutter. Paper resembling currency notes worth another ₹48 lakh, printed on one side, was also seized.

The total value of the seized material was estimated at ₹37.83 lakh, police said. A case has been registered against the suspected accused, Pushpam Krishna Bandane (29), who is absconding.

The case came to light when flat owner Ramesh Gangadhar Harde (55), a resident of Narhari Nagar on Manewada-Besa Road, visited his Wathoda property at around 11.30 am. He had rented the first-floor flat to Bandane, a resident of Trimurti Nagar, on September 26, 2025.

Harde reportedly had not received rent for two months and had been unable to contact the tenant for three days. After receiving no response to his knocks, he opened the flat with a master key and found ₹500-denomination notes scattered on the living-room sofa.

He immediately alerted Wathoda police. Cops inspected the premises in the presence of panch witnesses and seized the suspected counterfeit notes and printing equipment.

A case was registered against Bandane on the complaint of police constable Chetan Utkhede. Police have launched a search for the absconding accused and are investigating the alleged counterfeit currency operation.