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Synopsis

The Delhi High Court, recently, refused bail to an individual who was allegedly apprehended red-handed with a large quantity of high-quality Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). These observations were made in a bail application filed by the accused individual under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS). 

Per the prosecution, information was received on January 21, 2021, by the Special Cell that the applicant, Sheikh Shehzad, a resident of Bihar, would arrive at Anand Vihar Railway Station to deliver a large consignment of FICN to two individuals, Raja and Rehman. These notes were allegedly procured from Habibur Rehman, a resident of Malda, West Bengal. Acting on this information, a raiding team was formed, and a trap was set near Anand Vihar Railway Station. The applicant arrived at approximately 10:25 AM and was apprehended by the police. Upon searching his bag, two bundles of currency notes in ₹2,000 denominations, amounting to ₹4,00,000, were recovered. An FIR was subsequently registered, and the applicant was arrested. 

The court noted that the charges under UAPA had already been framed, and a review of the chargesheet indicated a prima facie case against the applicant. He was allegedly apprehended at the scene, and a large quantity of counterfeit currency, including high-quality notes, was recovered from his possession. Section 15(1)(a)(iiia) of UAPA explicitly covers the circulation of such counterfeit currency within its scope.

Furthermore, the records revealed that all public witnesses had already been examined in the Trial Court, with only a few formal witnesses remaining. In light of these considerations, the court declined to grant regular bail to the applicant at this stage. 

For Petitioner: Advocate S.K. Rai
For Respondent: Additional Public Prosecutor Satinder Bawa
Case Title: Sheikh Sehzad v State (2025:DHC:61)