New Delhi, 18th January 2024: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court, Lucknow (UP), on Thursday convicted and sentenced two accused Phulchand resident of Lakhimpur Kheri (UP)and Aminul Islam resident of Malda (West Bengal )to 5 years rigorous imprisonment and fine in a 2019 fake currency seizure case. Earlier a juvenile accused in the case had already been sentenced in January 2020 to two years, 1 month and 10 days imprisonment by the Juvenile Justice Board, Lucknow

The case pertains to recovery and seizure of High Quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), by ATS UP on 25th November 2019. Fake notes were recovered from the possession of Phulchand, Aminul Islam, and one juvenile accused near Itaunza Toll Plaza on Lucknow-Sitapur highway, Lucknow. Fake Indian Currency Notes in the denomination of Rs. 500 and 15 notes in the denomination of Rs. 2000 were seized in the case, which was taken over by the NIA on 20th January 2020. NIA, after investigations, had chargesheeted a total of 05 accused persons.

As per NIA investigations, the accused had conspired to smuggle, procure and keep high quality FICN in their possession. The fake currency was being supplied from Malda, West Bengal, and further circulated and supplied to various persons/consignees in the state of UP.

Accused Aminul Islam was the main conspirator from Malda (WB) along with his associates. He used to bring consignments of FICN from Malda, while Phulchand and his close associates used to receive the said consignments.