NIA finds strong Bangladesh connection

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed three supplementary charge-sheets against Enamul Haque, a resident of West Bengal in connection with an international Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) racket.

Haque, who hails from Malda in West Bengal, bordering Bangladesh, was arrested by NIA in early September.

Investigation revealed that Haque was involved in cross-border smuggling and circulation of FICN after procuring the same from his associates in Bangladesh.

Enamul Haque conspired with other arrested accused in the case including Mohammed Mahaboob Baig, Syed Imran, Firoj Saikh alias Saddam and Tajamul Saikh alias Bhoot to procure FICNs worth Rs 10,20,000 and provided the same to Mohammed Mahaboob Baig alias Azhar Baig and Syed Imran for circulation, official in NIA said.

The case came to the light following the seizure of 510 number of FICN in denomination of Rs 2,000 amounting Rs 10,20,000 in March by DRI, Visakhapatnam Unit from the possession of accused Mohammed Mahaboob Baig and Syed Imran at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, while they were travelling in Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express.

NIA re-registered the case in April and took up the investigation. First charge-sheet in the case was filed by NIA against Baig and Imran in NIA Special Court, Vijayawada.  In June, Baig and Imran were convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000.

Subsequently, NIA also arrested accused Saikh 2019 from Malda and Tajamul Saikh from East Champaran in Bihar.

Further investigation against Bangladeshi associates of the accused is continued, officials said.