YUPIA, 30 Aug: The district and sessions court here in Papum Pare district has sentenced a woman to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for counterfeiting Rs 500 currency notes in a case that came to light during a police raid linked to suspected drug trafficking in Itanagar over four years ago.

District and Sessions Judge Dr Hirendra Kashyap convicted Yayi Lendo Jomoh under Sections 489A and 489C of the IPC for counterfeiting currency and possessing forged notes. Her nephew and co-accused, Hogli Ori, was acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence. The judgment and sentencing order were passed on 27 August.

The case dates back to 18 January, 2022, when a police team led by Inspector Phassang Simi raided Jomoh's rented accommodation in Abotani Colony, following information received in connection with suspected narcotics.

The search subsequently led the police to another accommodation linked to Jomoh, where they recovered an HP colour printer, ink, one genuine Rs 500 note, 34 counterfeit Rs 500 notes, 16 A4 sheets, a scale, and scissors.

Investigators found that 25 of the counterfeit notes carried the same serial number as the genuine Rs 500 note seized during the search, while another nine fake notes shared another identical serial number.

The case was later endorsed to Sub-Inspector K Tacha for investigation.

Rejecting the defence' contention that the notes had not undergone forensic examination, the court observed that currency notes are individually numbered, and that multiple notes bearing identical serial numbers were sufficient to establish that they were copies.

During her examination, Jomoh admitted printing the Rs 500 notes and purchasing the printer, but claimed that the notes were meant for "decoration" in her sitting room and had never been passed off as genuine currency.

The court rejected the explanation, noting that the printer and counterfeit notes were found concealed in a locked room. It held that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Jomoh had purchased the printer, printed counterfeit currency, and possessed the fake notes.

Ori, however, was acquitted after the court found no evidence establishing common intention or conspiracy. It noted that he had been staying with his aunt to prepare for an examination and occupied a separate room, while the counterfeit notes and printer were recovered from Jomoh's locked bedroom.

The court also ruled that an offence under Section 489D was not established, observing that the printer, paper, scissors and other seized materials were ordinary office items, rather than specialised equipment exclusively meant for counterfeiting.

Terming counterfeiting a "heinous offence" affecting the national economy, the court sentenced Jomoh to 10 years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 under Section 489A. She was also sentenced to five years' simple imprisonment with a Rs 5,000 fine under Section 489C. Both sentences will run concurrently.

The three months and seven days Jomoh has already spent in custody will be set off against the sentence.