Ahmedabad Court Acquits Two in ₹1.44 Crore Fake Currency Case

A sessions court in Ahmedabad has acquitted two men accused of possessing fake Indian currency notes worth ₹1.44 crore at Kalupur Railway Station, holding that the prosecution failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Sessions Judge Hemang Rawal granted the benefit of doubt to Hansraj Lauhar and Vikas Sharma, who were arrested in connection with the seizure of counterfeit ₹2,000 notes in December 2020.

The court also directed that the counterfeit currency be disposed of in accordance with the law after the expiry of the appeal period.

Court's observations

While delivering the judgment, the court observed that:

• The evidence of the complainant and members of the police raiding party was not free from doubt.
• There were contradictions and discrepancies in the prosecution's evidence.
• The seizure panchnama had not been independently corroborated.
• Independent witnesses had not confirmed the authenticity of the recovery.
• There was no conclusive legal evidence establishing that the counterfeit currency had been recovered from the accused.

The court held that the prosecution had failed to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt and extended them the benefit of doubt.

The court further ordered that the counterfeit currency notes be destroyed in accordance with legal procedures after the appeal period expires.

Prosecution case

According to the prosecution:

• On December 30, 2020, Railway PSI R.K. Vaniya and his team were on patrol.
• Police received information that a man aged between 30 and 35 years was travelling on the Rajdhani Express from Delhi to Ahmedabad carrying counterfeit Indian currency in a black bag.
• Acting on the tip-off, Railway Police intercepted Vikas Narendra Sharma.

Police claimed to have recovered:

• 7,240 counterfeit ₹2,000 notes.
• Total face value of ₹1,44,80,000.

During interrogation, Vikas Sharma allegedly disclosed the name of co-accused Hansraj Lauhar, who, according to the prosecution, was travelling to Ahmedabad by air.

Police subsequently arrested both accused and filed a chargesheet before the court.

Defence arguments

During the trial:

• Senior advocate A.K. Balsari, appearing for the accused, relied on 41 witnesses and 75 documentary exhibits.
• The defence argued that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges.
• It also contended that independent witnesses did not support the prosecution's version of the alleged recovery.

After considering the evidence on record, the court acquitted both accused.