NIA court gives life term to 6 accused in fake currency case

February 1, 2014

Magha shuklpaksha 2, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

In a first, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday sentenced six accused in a2009 fake currency case to life imprisonment, terming the possession and circulation of Indian counterfeit notes as an "act of terrorism".

Special NIA judge Prithiviraj Chavan pronounced the sentence after he convicted all the six arrested accused -- Abdul Shaikh, Mohammed Aizul, Ravi Dhiren Gosh Nooruddin Bari, Mohammed Samad and Aizul Shaikh -- yesterday under relevant sections of IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1000 on each of the accused.

"This is the first time that the fake currency has been covered under the ambit of a terrorist act," Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian said, adding that terrorist acts does not always be a blood crime. The notes were printed in Pakistan, she said. This case happens to be the first case investigated by the NIA here after it was set up post 26/11 attacks to probe and prosecute pan-India crimes, terror related cases and offences affecting the 'sovereignty, security and integrity of India'.

According to NIA, during investigation it was revealed that Fake Indian Currency Notes of denomination of Rs 1000 of 2AQ series seized in this case were also recovered at the Kochi currency ource chest of Reserve Bank of India.

Source : Mumbai Mirror