In a judgment dated September 9, 2025, the Delhi High Court upheld the conviction of Aashim and Mehtab Jahan under Section 489C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for possession of counterfeit currency but modified their sentence (CRL.A. 195/2012). Justice Rajneesh Kumar Gupta disposed of the appeal, reducing the imprisonment from three years to six months simple imprisonment each, along with a fine of Rs. 10,000 each (default: 15 days SI), granting benefit under Section 428 Cr.P.C. for time already served.
The case stems from July 31, 2008, when police, acting on secret information, apprehended the appellants near Backar Watch Company, Chandni Chowk. Twelve fake Rs. 500 notes were recovered from Aashim’s trouser pocket, and eight from Mehtab Jahan’s purse. The Currency Note Press, Nashik, confirmed they were counterfeit. The Trial Court convicted them in 2012 after examining 11 prosecution witnesses, rejecting their defense of planted evidence and lack of public witnesses.
The High Court found the recovery reliable, based on consistent police testimonies, and noted the appellants’ failure to explain the notes’ source, inferring knowledge and intent. Considering the incident’s age (17 years) and mitigating factors—Aashim (39) and Mehtab Jahan (68)—the sentence was reduced. Pending applications, including bail, were disposed of.
Case Details: Aashim & anr. vs. State | CRL.A. 195/2012, CRL.M.(BAIL) 1668/2025 & CRL.M.A. 9366/2025
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