FICN Case resulted in convicted accused person namely Lingaraj Behera

Balangir:The Special Task Force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch has seized fake currency notes with a face value of Rs 31.27,500 lakh in Balangir's Titlagarh and arrested the mastermind.

FICN Case resulted in conviction

On 18.05.2024 Hon'ble Court of Asst. Sessions Judge, Titilagarh Dist. Bolangir convicted one accused person namely 1) Lingaraj Behera, 50 years S/o. Late Butu Behera of Kantamal, PS. Kegoan Dist. Kalahandi U/s. 489-B/489-C IPC in STF PS Case No.04/2023.

The accused person was convicted and sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for 5 Years for the offence U/s.489-B IPC& to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) for 03 Years for the offence U/s.489-C IPC and with fine. Both the punishments will run concurrently. In this case on 1.02.2023 a raid was conducted near the park of Titilagarh Bus stand Dist. Bolangair while the above noted accused person along with his associate Dharmu Rana were dealing with Fake Currency Notes after procuring the same from Jharkhand and Bihar side. Out of which accused Lingaraj Behera was apprehended and accused Dharmu Rana was managed to escape away from the spot. During search one printed air bag containing FICN notes Rs. 31,27,500/- were recovered from the possession of accused person namely Lingaraj Behera, 50 years S/o. Late Butu Behera of Kantamal PS. Kegoan Dist. Kalahandi and seized.

After successful investigation, charge sheet was submitted against the accused persons U/s. 489-A/489-B/489-C/120(B) IPC. Trial was conducted against above noted accused person Lingaraj Behera. During trial the prosecution has examined 09 Nos. of witnesses and exhibited 21 Nos. of documents. The seized FICN notes were sent to Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Ltd., Mudrana Nagar, Salboni, Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal for chemical examination and opinion. After examination it was confirmed that, these are Counterfeit

Notes".

STF is the specialized wing of Odisha Police to curb the organized crime in the State.

FICN notes is also one of the focus areas of STF and STF will continue its drive against the

criminals.

This is the first conviction in recent years/memories in Odisha.

Non Bailable warrant has been obtained against the other absconding accused person.

1.Complt. Inspr. Jagannath Prasad Sahoo

2.Investigating Officer: Inspr. Diptiranjan Pradhan

3.Conducting Prosecutor: Sri Raghunath Rath, Spl. Public Prosecutor, Rayagada

According to an official release, the seizure was made near the main gate of bus stand park, Titlagarh, on February 1. The arrested has been identified as Lingaraj Behera (50). "The seized Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) will be sent to Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudrana Pvt. Ltd, Mudrana Nagar, Salaboni, Pachima, Medinapore, West Bengal, for examination and opinion," it said.

Odisha STF with the help of Bolangir District Police apprehended one accused, Lingaraj Behera, on February 1 from near the main gate of Bus stand park, Titalagarh for carrying Rs 31,27, 500 fake Indian currency notes: STF