NIA convicts two for terrorist activity, circulating counterfeit notes

A special NIA court on Friday convicted two persons under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for their involvement in smuggling and circulation of high quality Indian currency notes.

The accused, identified as Ekramul Ansari and a Nepalese origin Sharda Shankar Mahato, both from Champaran, Bihar, have been booked under sections 489-B and 489-C of the Indian Penal Code and under sections 16,18 and 20 under the UAPA act.

Initially, Ansari was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and seized 4,988 demonetised notes at the IGI Airport.

Later, the investigation of the case was entrusted to the NIA as per the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

During the course of investigation Mahato was later arrested by the NIA for his involvement in the case.

After completion of investigation, NIA on January 2 2015, filed a charge sheet against them stating that the accused formed a terrorist gang and had hatched a terrorist conspiracy to circulate high quality counterfeit notes after transporting the same from Dubai to India with the active assistance of four persons, who are absconding and suspected to be based in Middle East and Nepal.