Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 14: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Mumbai has sentenced Ishak Khan, a key figure in the 2019 Thane fake currency racket, to five years of rigorous imprisonment. He has also been fined Rs 10,000, with all sentences to run concurrently.

Khan was among three arrested in connection with the seizure of Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICNs) amounting to Rs 82,000 in Rs 500 denominations, initially found at the home of co-accused Jasim alias Wasim Salim Shaikh. The case began with Mumbai police, who arrested Shaikh and then traced the currency trail to Karnataka-based Radhakrishna Addappa.

Subsequently, the case was handed over to the NIA, which uncovered a broader conspiracy involving Khan, who was already jailed in Kolkata for another crime. Despite being in prison, Khan had allegedly coordinated the supply of counterfeit notes to Shaikh, highlighting a wider network of fake currency distribution.

The NIA backed its case with digital evidence, including mobile call records and other documents. A supplementary chargesheet was filed in 2021 against all three accused.

Khan pleaded guilty, leading to his conviction, while the trials of Shaikh and Addappa continue. The NIA said the case marks a significant step in cracking down on counterfeit currency operations that threaten India's economic stability.