13/7 blast accused convicted in fake currency case

The accused also have to pay a fine of Rs10,000 each.

The sessions court on Wednesday convicted two men, including an accused in the 13/7 serial blast case, for possession of counterfeit currency.

The trial of the blast case is yet to begin. (Representational Image/HT File)

Haroon Naik, involved in the 13/7 case, and Asrar Ahmad were sentenced to six years in jail. They also have to pay a fine of Rs10,000 each. The court acquitted another accused Azhar Siddiqui of all charges.

Naik has already served six years , but will remain in jail for his involvement in the 13/7 case.

Haroon’s arrest in the fake currency case had helped the police to crack the 13/7 case. However, the trial of the blast case is yet to begin.

While convicting the two for possession and circulation of counterfeit currency, the sessions court has refused to accept terror links behind the accused.

The sessions judge while acquitting all from the terror charges under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), observed, “There is no evidence that they were raising funds for terrorist act. Therefore the case of the prosecution does not indicate that the accused entered in criminal conspiracy to commit any unlawful activities or they raised funds for banned organisation or they provoked the muslim youth to indoctrinate in terrorism.”