A routine cash deposit at a private bank branch in Kannur has turned into a counterfeit currency investigation after several fake ₹500 notes were discovered during the bank’s verification process.

The incident involved a woman from the Echur area who visited the branch to deposit ₹4.26 lakh into her savings account.

While counting and checking the cash, bank staff reportedly noticed irregularities in a handful of the notes. A closer examination revealed that eight of the ₹500 notes were counterfeit.

Following the discovery, the suspicious currency was separated from the rest of the deposit and handed over to the police. Acting on a complaint filed by the bank manager, Kannur Town Police registered a case and began an inquiry into how the forged notes entered circulation.

Investigators are currently focused on tracing the origin of the counterfeit currency. Initial findings have not pointed to any deliberate wrongdoing by the account holder.

Police officials believe it is possible that the woman unknowingly received the fake notes during previous financial transactions and later deposited them without being aware of their authenticity.

Authorities are now examining the movement of the currency and gathering information that could help identify where the forged notes may have originated.

Officials say the investigation will also look into whether the counterfeit bills are linked to a larger network involved in circulating fake currency.

The case highlights the challenges posed by counterfeit notes, which can pass through multiple hands before being detected.

Banking institutions regularly screen deposited cash, making them one of the key checkpoints for identifying forged currency before it spreads further into the financial system.

Police have urged the public to remain vigilant while handling large amounts of cash and to verify suspicious-looking notes whenever possible.

The probe remains ongoing, with officials working to determine the source and route through which the counterfeit currency reached the depositor.