In a major security breach that could embarrass the previous Congress-United Progressive Alliance Government, an internal enquiry report has revealed that certain security features were allegedly compromised during the printing of Indian currency, and the lapses were kept under wraps by senior officials working under the Ministry of Finance. The incident took place in 2012 under the then UPA Government.

As per experts, the use of a security thread is the most distinguishing feature of bank notes. But the then Indian Government had allegedly compromised on it.

The enquiry report shows that the security thread inserted in currency paper at the Hoshangabad Security Paper Mill were from an Islamic nation and the defect in the paper intended for 10-rupee notes was reported on November 8, 2012, but kept a secret.

The report also says the examination of the 10-rupee notes showed indecipherable text on the security thread, the notes either had Arabic text inscribed on the security thread or did not have any security thread at all. The security thread was also found to be nonmagnetic when examined on a quality control device.

The currency paper with defective security thread initially escaped at least four to five quality checks. It was later found that four boxes of sheets had defective currency paper. With 5,000 sheets in a box and 50 notes printed on each sheet it amounts to 10 lakh defective notes been printed.