Woman finds hidden stash of demonetised Rs 500, Rs 1000 notes during Diwali cleaning. Viral video

PM Narendra Modi in 2016 announced demonetisation of Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes.

In an unexpected twist to Diwali cleaning, a woman’s shocking discovery of a hidden stash of old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes has ignited a frenzy on social media, racking up a staggering 22 million views on Instagram. The incident, shared by user Deepti Gaba with the caption “What just happened,” showcases the moment of astonishment when she unearthed the now-invalid currency she had saved years ago, unbeknownst to her husband.

In her viral video, the woman is visibly astounded as she reveals the hidden cash from a plastic bag, which has been kept a secret for years. “What do I do with these?” she asks, with several comments from users who faced similar situations since the demonetisation of high-value notes in 2016.

A torrent of reactions and advice followed the viral video. “It’s been 8 years since demonetisation,” one user commented, while another suggested, “Keep it; in the future, these notes will be counted as antique notes, and you could see a 50x return from their face value. Take it as an investment.”

Others chimed in with personal anecdotes, like one user who recalled, “My mom hid 50k, and they were found one year after demonetisation. Still with us.”

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A post shared by Deepti Gaba (@deeptigabatutorials)

Some viewers advised the woman to approach the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for guidance on the possibility of exchanging the obsolete notes.

In a surprise announcement on November 8, 2016, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, declared the demonetisation of 500 and 1,000 rupee notes, rendering nearly 86% of the country’s currency invalid overnight.

The decision was positioned as a move to curb black money, counterfeit currency, and illicit activities, marking one of the most dramatic economic shifts in India’s modern history. Citizens were given a limited window to deposit or exchange their now-invalid currency, sparking long queues outside banks and ATMs across the nation.

The RBI was tasked with reissuing a new currency series, including 500 rupee notes and the introduction of a new denomination—2,000 rupee notes – which have since gone out of circulation.