As deadline nears for deposit of Rs-2,000 notes, officials scour court records

While probing crimes, police often find currency notes used for the facilitation of a crime or that are proceeds of the crime. Such notes are seized and are part of court records as they form evidence in the criminal trial.

During the trial, when witnesses depose, or when the evidence is placed before the court, these notes are referred to in order to prove the crime. At the end of the trial, when the appeal period is over, courts may order for the currency notes to be deposited with the government, or be returned to the parties involved. This may take years, and by the time the notes are returned, they may be considered illegal tenders. To prevent this, investigating officers are approaching courts to deposit the notes with the RBI.

For instance, last week, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) approached the special court hearing in the Antilia terror case, seeking to open packets containing currency notes seized during the probe. Four such packets were opened, and over 60 currency notes of the denomination of Rs 2000 were found. “In view of the office order, those 60 currency notes will be sent to the registrar (sessions) of this court, from where it will be deposited in the bank for compliance,” the court ordered. Photos were taken of those notes and printouts were then made part of the court record for future reference.

In 2016, the staffers had similarly checked all the evidence in storerooms. They had then brought it to the notice of the judge concerned, lawyers of the accused and prosecutors. Seized packets containing such notes were then opened in the presence of the parties concerned, photocopies were taken and the originals were sent for exchange.