Lucknow, May 23 (IANS): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday said that it has filed a charge sheet against three persons on charge of hatching a conspiracy to circulate high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) after procuring them from West Bengal.

An NIA spokesperson said in a statement that Phulchand of UP's Lakhimpur Khiri, Aminul Islam and Nasiba Khatoon of West Bengal's Malda have been charged under the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

He said the charge sheet was filed before a special NIA court in Lucknow on Thursday.

The case pertains to the seizure of FICN with a face value of Rs 1.79 lakh by Uttar Pradesh's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on November 25 last year from the three accused on the Lucknow-Sitapur highway. The case was later taken over by the NIA.

The official said that the accused conspired to smuggle, procure and possess FICN, and further circulate and supply these to various persons/consignees in UP.

The fake notes were supplied from Malda, he said.