Initial reports link the fake currency seizure to a local madrasa and its imam, creating communal tension, but investigations shift the narrative away from Muslim institutions
KHANDWA — The recent fake currency case in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa has laid bare how quickly misinformation can spread, particularly targeting Muslim institutions. While initial reports and social media posts suggested a madrasa was at the centre of the racket, police investigations have confirmed that the mastermind was, in fact, MBBS doctor Prateek Navlakhe.
The case came into public attention after the seizure of fake notes from a madrasa in Khandwa. The media’s initial coverage emphasised the role of madrasa and its imam, fuelling unnecessary communal tension. However, further police investigations shifted the focus entirely.
Senior police officer Mahendra Taranikar said, “Dr Prateek Navlakhe and his associates Gopal alias Rahul and Dinesh Gaur were responsible for running the fake currency operation. The madrasa had no involvement in the crime.”
According to police, Dr Navlakhe had set up a travel agency board at a rented house in Gokuldham Society, Bhopal, to facilitate the production of counterfeit currency. The house contained high-quality printers, electronic devices, and other equipment necessary for large-scale fake note production.
A significant quantity of materials was seized during the operation. From Dr Navlakhe, police recovered 13 fake notes of Rs 500, seven mobile phones, laptops, thirty-two ATM cards, 15 cheque books, and other documents. Gopal alias Rahul was found with six fake notes, two mobile phones, a dryer machine, and 20 ATM cards, while Dinesh Gaur had 17 counterfeit notes of Rs 500.
Additional SP Taranikar added, “The arrests were crucial to dismantling this network, which spread from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra. All three accused are now in police custody as investigations continue to trace the rest of the network.”
Further inquiries revealed Dr Navlakhe had previously worked as the Resident Medical Officer in Burhanpur district in 2019–20. Complaints regarding fake purchases and bills had led to his imprisonment in Khandwa jail, where he met Imam Zubair Ansari.
Investigators say that the idea to run a fake currency operation originated in jail, and later, Gopal Rahul and Dinesh Gaur joined the enterprise.
The incident has highlighted the dangers of communal bias in reporting. Several media platforms and social media users initially portrayed the case as one involving the madrasa and its imam. Once the true mastermind—a Hindu doctor—was identified, the communal narrative rapidly disappeared.
Local community leader, Imam Zubair Ansari, commented, “It is unfortunate that our institution was falsely linked to criminal activity. The police have clarified our innocence, but the damage caused by rushed reporting is deeply concerning.”
The Khandwa case serves as a reminder of the risks of hastily attributing crimes to minority institutions. Police have stressed that careful investigation is essential before drawing conclusions that can affect communal harmony.
