‘No money for good deeds, so we made our own’: Pradip Guruji’s bizarre defence in Rs 2.38cr fake note racket bust in Surat | Ahmedabad News
A Surat-based man, Pradip Jotangiya, claims his counterfeit currency racket was for social welfare, aiming to fund his foundation’s activitie
AHMEDABAD: “It was for people’s welfare.” That’s the line Pradip Jotangiya — better known as Pradip Guruji — is sticking to as police grill him over a full-fledged counterfeit currency racket. According to investigators, the accused earnestly claimed the operation was meant to “raise funds for social welfare activities” of the Surat-based Shri Satyam Yog Foundation.Police say Jotangiya told them the foundation was short on money to provide accommodation and support to those coming for treatment, so the group allegedly decided to “create money through illegal means”. Quite literally. About three months ago, Jotangiya and his associates allegedly pooled funds to buy printers, cutters and other equipment to churn out fake Rs 500 notes. The imitation currency was printed at the Surat home of one of the accused.
Police aren’t buying the nobility pitch. “Even under such claims, producing and circulating counterfeit currency is a serious offence with implications for the entire financial system.” Sources said the gang was already scouting for buyers to push the fake notes into circulation when they were intercepted in Ahmedabad — ending their ‘social service’ mission.Guruji’s political links under lens Shri Satyam Yog Foundation was established in 2008 at Dhora Pardi village in Kamrej. Sources said its founder, Pradip Guruji, has maintained close ties with several political leaders, many of whom have visited his ashram over the years. Police are also examining claims that Guruji had links with a retired senior officer and had allegedly funded a political outfit along with him. However, police officials clarified that no direct connection between these associations and the counterfeit currency seizure has been established so far. Officials said the angle is being verified as part of the broader probe
