Fake Indian currency racket in Nepal’s Terai

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to attempt to analyse the trend of trafficking of fake Indian currency notes (FICN), which is organised in nature. It accounts the trend of the smuggling of FICN through the route of Nepal and emerging routes as a consequence of the extension and strength of the criminal gangs. Design/methodology/approach - The author utilized the governmental and non-governmental reports besides journalistic reports related to the intention of fake currency trafficking to analyse the ground reality and vested interests of such crime. Findings - Though the open border of Nepal with India is exaggerated as the reason behind the cross-border crimes, such as smuggling of FICN, this paper has falsified the biased perception of labelling the borderline as a crime zone. It finds an outcome of the FICN smuggling that turns the Indo–Nepal border areas as a covert battlefield of organised criminal gangs as well as secret agencies of regional powers. Research limitations/implications - Due to ethical issues and limitations of research works on the topic, the descriptive analysis that could be carried out was limited. Practical implications - The negative findings of the crime are implacable, in keeping in mind before establishing a good policy related to development and security of Nepal, especially the Terai region. Social implications - The paper highlights social problems and challenges in the Terai region of Nepal that enforced the people residing in that area towards the fake currency racket. Hence, it urged to solve the social problems to curb the financial crime such as counterfeit notes trafficking in the region. Originality/value - This study is the latest research describing and disclosing the fact behind fake currency trafficking and its consequences.