Jhalokathi, Sept 16 (V7N) – A Jhalokathi court has sentenced two individuals to 14 years in prison for carrying counterfeit currency. The court also imposed a fine of Tk 10,000 each, with an additional six months of imprisonment in default of payment.
 
The verdict was delivered on Tuesday afternoon by Md. Rohibul Islam, Judge of the Special Tribunal First Court and Senior District and Sessions Judge of Jhalokathi. The matter was confirmed by Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Akkas Sikder.
 
The convicts are Nupur Begum, 35, wife of Al Amin Hawlader from Gauripur in Bhandaria upazila of Pirojpur, and Jasim Khalifa, 36, son of Wazed Khalifa from Deuri village in Ponabalia union of Jhalokathi Sadar.
 
According to court records, on February 16, 2024, around 3:00 pm, acting on a tip-off, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Suborno Chandra Dey of Jhalokathi Police Station arrested them from Kabiraj Bari Road in Jhalokathi town. Police recovered counterfeit notes worth Tk 2,97,000, including 196 notes of Tk 1,000, 200 notes of Tk 500, and 5 notes of Tk 200.
 
Following the investigation, Sub-Inspector Siddiqur Rahman filed a chargesheet on June 8, 2024, under Section 25(a) of the Special Powers Act, 1974. The court examined testimonies from eight witnesses before delivering the judgment.
 
The prosecution was conducted by Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Akkas Sikder, while Advocate Boni Amin Baklai represented the defense.
 
During the pronouncement of the verdict, convict Nupur Begum was present in court, whereas Jasim Khalifa, who was earlier released on bail, has absconded. Authorities confirmed that both have multiple other cases pending against them.
 
END/AIJ/SMA/