NIA arrests Fake Indian Currency Note racket kingpin Abdul Salam
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Abdul Salam alias Podi Salam, wanted in connection with a case involving smuggling of fake Indian currency notes. He was arrested as soon as he landed at IGI Airport after being deported from Saudi Arabia, where he was hiding for a long time. Salam, a resident of Kerala's Malappuram district, is wanted in a 2013 case.
Who is Abdul Salam?
Abdul Salam, 36, is a native of Neelanchery at Wandoor in Kerala's Malappuram. He is the third accused in a fake currency notes case probed by the NIA. He was doing hotel business in UAE and went into hiding in Saudi Arabia after the case was registered. On 26 Jan'13, 1,950 fake notes of Rs.500-denomination were seized from another Malappuram native returning from Dubai.
Large number of fake notes seized
A case was registered against Abdul Salam after a raid was conducted in Kerala in 2013. A large number of fake Indian currency notes were seized at the time. Officials stated that he had been operating the racket while in Dubai.
Fake notes printed using advanced technology in Pakistan
The counterfeit currency notes in 2013 were reportedly arranged by Aftab Batki, a member of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim-operated crime syndicate. Abdul Salam assigned the carrier, another Malappuram native, to carry the notes from Dubai to Kerala. The notes were printed using advanced technology in Pakistan, with Dawood's suspected involvement. Three among the five accused were arrested while Aftab Batki was absconding.
An NIA Official's statement
"Salam, against whom the Interpol had issued a Red Corner Notice, will be arriving at the New Delhi airport on Friday early morning, where his arrest will be recorded. Later, he will be brought to Kochi and produced before the NIA Court."
NIA took over the probe in 2014
Abdul Salam was extradited from Saudi with the Interpol's help upon Kochi NIA's request. The matter is related to a conspiracy to smuggle Rs.9.75-lakh- worth of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) seized in 2013 from Abid Chullikulavan Hassan by Kochi Nedumbasserry International Airport's Customs wing. The case is pending trial before Ernakulam's NIA Special Court after the NIA took over the probe in Jul'14.
The criminal conspiracy
Abdul Salam was a part of the criminal conspiracy to smuggle counterfeit Indian currency notes of high quality to India from the UAE. He had reportedly facilitated the smuggling of the contraband through Abid Chullikulavan Hassan.
More names likely to come up with Salam's arrest
An NIA official stated that more details and names from Kerala involved in the racket are likely to crop up during the questioning of Salam. Officials say Salam was in touch with Dawood Ibrahim's henchman Aftab Batki and was tasked with smuggling high-value fake currency from UAE to India. Interestingly, Abdul Salam's name came up during Abid Chullikulavan's interrogation by the Kerala Police.
