New Delhi: Terming a person dealing in fake currency as "the worst enemy" of the nation, a city court has sentenced two men involved in printing and circulating counterfeit notes to life imprisonment.

"Counterfeit currency is a bane of economy. If economy collapses, the entire nation is bound to die a slow death. A counterfeiter is the worst enemy of the nation," Additional Sessions Judge R K Shastri said.

The court yesterday sentenced Kamil and Neeraj, son of a retired Delhi Police officer, to life term with a fine of Rs 30,000 and 20,000 respectively after holding them guilty of possessing instruments for forging counterfeit currency notes under Section 489D of the IPC.

However, two other convicts -- Manoj and Abdul Sami -- were sentenced to five years prison term with a fine of Rs 10,000 for possessing fake currency at their houses under Section 489C of the IPC.

On June seven, 2001,the Delhi Police special cell laid a trap and apprehended Kamil and Neeraj with fake currency -- having a face value of Rs 2.54 lakh -- computer, printer, cloth and papers from a place under Preet Vihar police station in East Delhi.

The police later also arrested two others Manoj and Sami for possessing counterfeit notes with face value of over Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 respectively at their instance.

"Electronic gadget along with fake currency notes were recovered at the instance of both (Kamil and Neeraj) accused, Kamil was also found selling fake notes. The other two accused were also in possession of counterfeit currency," ASJ said, referring to fake currency as "betenoire" of a common man.

The prosecution examined as many as 11 witnesses to prove its charges against the accused. The defence also produced nine witnesses to claim their innocence.

Source : PTI