Balangir: The district police today seized counterfeit currency notes having face value of Rs 1.36 lakh at Bhainsa village in Patnagarh area and arrested two persons in this connection.

The accused were identified as Rohit Bastia and Varun Parwa.

A team of Patnagarh police seized 272 fake currency notes in denomination of Rs 500.

A computer and printing materials used in crime were also seized by the cops.

Reports indicate that the accused tried to pass off some fake currency notes to a singer participating in a local religious event on Wednesday. However, the singer recognized the counterfeit notes and alerted the committee members. Villagers then informed the Patnagarh police about the matter.

Acting on the information, police conducted raids at the accused's residences and apprehended them. The fake notes were seized during the raids.

"Further investigation into this organized racket is ongoing. Additional details about the racket will be revealed after questioning the arrested persons," said Patnagarh SDPO Sadanand Pujari.