Madhubani: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a charge sheet against two accused in connection with the seizure of fake Indian currency notes (FICN) worth Rs 50,150 in Bihar's Madhubani district, IANS reported, citing the agency. The charge sheet names Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut alias Mehman.

The case relates to the seizure of 281 counterfeit currency notes with a total face value of Rs 50,150 from Duhabi Bazar in the Basopatti area of Madhubani on August 2. The seizure was made during a joint operation by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Bihar Police, the report said.

The alleged Nepal route

According to the NIA investigation, the two charge-sheeted accused were allegedly involved in smuggling fake currency from Nepal into India through Hira Mahaseth alias Chachi. The counterfeit notes were allegedly intended to be circulated as genuine currency in local Indian markets. These are allegations in the agency's charge sheet and are yet to be tested in court.

The case was initially registered at Basopatti police station on August 2 against three accused — Hira Mahaseth, Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut. The NIA re-registered the case on September 9. As part of its investigation, the agency conducted searches at 12 locations in Madhubani district on October 8 and seized digital devices, incriminating documents, cash and other materials, the report said.

The charge sheet has been filed under Sections 61(2), 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, before the special NIA court. Madhubani district shares a long border with Nepal, a route investigators say smugglers use for fake currency, liquor and other contraband.

Source: IANS via HiIndia