(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction dated 19.08.2015 passed by the X Additional Sessions Judge, Belagavi in Sessions Case No.166/1996, wherein the appellant, who was arraigned as accused No.1 is convicted for the offences punishable under Sections 489-B and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC for short). By the same order, the appellant is acquitted of the offences punishable under Sections 489-A, 489-C and 120-B of IPC.
(2.) The case of the prosecution is that on 29.03.1995, P.W.1 Rachappa Veerabhadrappa Sindagi, the Assistant General Manager of SBI Main Branch, Belagavi, found a counterfeit currency note of Rs.100/- denomination in a bundle of Rs.50,00,000/- notes. On ascertaining that it was a counterfeit note, P.W.1 lodged a complaint before the Camp Police Station, Belagavi. Based on the said complaint, investigation was taken up. In the course of the investigation, the Investigating Officer having learnt that a printing machine along with counterfeit notes were seized from the possession of accused Nos.1 and 2 in Crime No.50/1994 of Laxmipur Police Station, Kolhapur, secured the documents relating to the said seizure. The counterfeit currency note which was found in the bundle of Rs.50,00,000/- was subjected to forensic analysis. On ascertaining that it was a counterfeit currency note, a charge sheet came to be laid against 14 accused persons under Sections 489-A, 489-B, 489-C, 489-D and 489-E read with Section 120- B of IPC.
(3.) Accused Nos.2, 4 and 11 died during the investigation and accused Nos.3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 were not traced. A split up charge sheet was filed against them. Accused Nos.1, 9, 10, 12 and 13 faced trial. Based on the material produced by the Investigating Agency the Trial Court framed distinct and separate charges against accused Nos.1, 9, 10, 12 and 13 under Sections 489-A, 489-B and 489-C read with Section 120-B of IPC.