ANIKUL Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The four appeals relate to cases registered under the provisions of Sec. 489B and 489C of the Indian Penal Code. In course of hearing of these appeals the interpretation of the term 'otherwise traffics in' used in Sec. 489B of IPC vis-a-vis the word 'possession' used in Sec. 489C of IPC fell for consideration and as such all the four appeals were taken up together. The facts of each appeal are briefly set out initially and thereafter the issues raised by the appellants and the State have been considered.

(2.) The facts of the case relate to Suti Police Station case no. 431/17 dtd. 8/8/2017 under Ss. 489B/489C of the Indian Penal Code which was initiated on the basis of a complaint lodged with the Officer-in-charge, Suti Police Station by Ram Prasad Haldar, Inspector of Police attached to the same police station. It has been alleged that on 8/8/2017 at 15.45 hrs., a secret information was received that three persons are loitering at Chander More at the side of NH 34 for exchanging huge amount of forged currency notes. The said information was diarized and a team was formed which arrived at about 16.15 hrs. The three persons were intercepted and were searched. On search from the three persons fake Indian currency notes were recovered which were as follows: