Bhubaneswar: The Assistant Sessions Judge, Titilagarh, Saturday convicted one accused in a fake currency note case.
Convict Lingaraj Behera, was convicted and sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for 5 Years for the offence U/s.489-B IPC & three years imprisonment for the offence U/s.489-C IPC and with fine.
Both punishments will run concurrently, the judge ordered.
According to the prosecution a raid was conducted near the park of Titlagarh Bus stand February 1, 2023 when the accused person along with his associate Dharmu Rana were nabbed dealing with Fake Currency Notes after procuring the same from Jharkhand and Bihar sides.
While Lingaraj Behera was apprehended and accused, Dharmu Rana managed to escape away from the spot.
During the search one printed airbag containing FICN notes Rs. 31,27,500 were recovered from the possession of Lingaraj Behera.
After a successful investigation, a charge sheet was submitted against the accused persons U/s. 489-A/489-B/489-C/120(B) IPC.
The trial was conducted against the above-noted accused person Lingaraj Behera. During the trial, the prosecution examined nine witnesses and exhibited 21 documents.
The seized FICN notes were sent to Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Ltd in West Bengal for chemical examination and opinion.
After examination, it was confirmed that these are Counterfeit Notes.
STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb organized crime in the State. The FICN notes is also one of the focus areas of STF and it will continue its drive against such criminals.
This is the first conviction in recent years/memories in Odisha, STF source said adding a non-bailable warrant has been obtained against the other absconding accused person.
UNI