In a recent development, a special NIA court has issued sentences for two individuals involved in circulating fake Indian currency notes. Asim Sarkar from Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) has been sentenced to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment, while the co-accused, Aladu from Malda (West Bengal), has been given a 5-year jail term. Additionally, they have been fined Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000, respectively. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three months of imprisonment.

The two individuals have been found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized a total of 99 fake notes in the denomination of Rs 2,000 and two notes in the denomination of Rs 500, totaling Rs 1,99,000, from Sarkar in 2019.

Subsequently, two other accused, Aladu and Faijul Sk, were arrested by the NIA, which took over the case in October 2019. Faijul Sk is currently serving a 5-year jail sentence in connection with the case, while an absconding Bangladeshi national, Abdul Rahim, is still being pursued in the ongoing trial.

The investigations conducted by the NIA revealed that all four accused were part of a criminal conspiracy to obtain and circulate fake currency with the intention of using it for unlawful gain.