A specialized anti-terrorism agency known as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has rendered a verdict in the Bengaluru fake currency case, involving the illicit transportation of high-quality counterfeit banknotes from Bangladesh into India via Karnataka. Vanitha, also known as 'Thangam,' has been found guilty as the sixth accused in this case.
Vanitha has received a prison sentence of six years for violating Section 489B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which pertains to the use of counterfeit currency notes as genuine. Additionally, she has been sentenced to five years under Section 489C of the IPC for possession of counterfeit currency notes and two years for involvement in criminal conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC. It's important to note that these sentences will be served concurrently, as officially confirmed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday.
Furthermore, the court has imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on Vanitha.
Back in 2018, a joint operation between the Karnataka Police and the NIA led to the seizure of counterfeit currency notes with a total face value of Rs 2.50 lakh from Vanitha. This action followed the apprehension of three other suspects who were found in possession of counterfeit currency notes amounting to Rs 4.34 lakh.
The initial complaint in this case was filed by an NIA officer in 2018, which prompted its initial registration by the Karnataka Police under various sections of the IPC, as reported by the agency.
Subsequently, the NIA took over the case, conducting an extensive investigation and surveillance operation that ultimately exposed the network involved in counterfeit Indian currency notes (FICN). The mastermind behind this network was identified as the primary suspect, Abdul Khadir.
Further NIA investigations brought to light potential transactions involving fake notes by three individuals in Bengaluru.
Between 2018 and 2022, the NIA pressed charges against a total of eight individuals. Out of these, three—Mohammed Sajjad Ali, also known as 'Chachu,' M G Raju, also known as 'Master,' and Abdul Kadir—were convicted by the special court and received a six-year prison sentence.
Two other suspects, Gangadhar Kholkar and Sabiruddin, were subsequently found guilty and likewise sentenced to six years of imprisonment by the special court, according to information provided by the NIA.
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