Six convicted by NIA court in 2009 fake currency case

A special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai on Wednesday convicted six persons for possessing and circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes in May 2009.

Special NIA judge Prithiviraj Chavan convicted six arrested accused -- Abdul Shaikh, Mohammed Aizul, Ravi Dhiren Gosh Nooruddin Bari, Mohammed Samad and Aizul Shaikh -- under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activates (Prevention) Act.

This case happens to be the first investigated by NIA in the city 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'.

The quantum of sentence is likely to be pronounced on Thursday.

The Anti-Terrorism Squad of Maharashtra police had arrested the accused on May 14, 2009, from near Star Cinema at Mazgoan in south Mumbai, after they received the tip-off that they were planning to exchange money.

The ATS had also seized from them 75 fake Indian currency notes of Rs 1000 denomination. Though the preliminary investigation was carried out by ATS, NIA took over the investigation on June 19, 2009.

In the 1000-page charge sheet filed on November 6, 2009, the prosecution named one Shaukat as the kingpin of the racket and accused a 'hostile' neighbouring country for supporting the crime.

Further according to the charge sheet, the six accused are part of a larger racket and are attempting to destabilise country's economy with an intention to abet terrorist activities.

Special public prosecutor Rohini Salian told mediapersons that court has taken circumstantial evidence into account to convict all the accused. Salian added that three accused are still wanted in the case.

In the trial that commenced in December 2012, the prosecution had examined 39 witnesses.