The recovery of counterfeit currency and banned narcotic substances from a school teacher has triggered strong reactions across Khowai district of Tripura. The accused has been identified as 40-year-old Kartik Debnath, a resident of West Sonatala under Khowai police station and professionally employed as a teacher.
Police sources said that Kartik Debnath had allegedly been involved for a long time in circulating fake currency notes in different markets under Khowai and Kalyanpur police station areas, along with engaging in illegal drug trafficking activities.
Acting on a secret tip-off, the district intelligence wing of Khowai Police detained him from Bagan Bazar area on Wednesday morning. During the operation, police recovered counterfeit currency notes worth Rs 9,000 from his possession.
Later, he was taken to Kalyanpur police station for interrogation. Based on the information provided by the accused, police personnel from Khowai police station conducted a search operation at his residence in West Sonatala village. During the raid, officers recovered additional fake currency notes worth Rs 13,600 along with 55 narcotic tablets.
Police have registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of law, and preparations were underway to produce him before the Khowai District Court on Wednesday evening.
The involvement of a teacher — often regarded as a builder of society — in such alleged criminal activities has left members of the education community and conscious citizens deeply shocked.