India, June 19 -- A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday rejected an application by alleged counterfeit currency racket accused Javed Gulam Nabi Shaikh seeking the benefit of plea bargaining, holding that the provision is unavailable in cases carrying a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

Special Judge Chakor S. Baviskar rejected Shaikh's plea despite his offer to plead guilty. Shaikh, who spent over four years in custody as an undertrial before securing bail, had sought plea bargaining on the ground of prolonged incarceration. The NIA opposed the application and sought the maximum punishment.

The court held that one of the offences against Shaikh is punishable with life imprisonment and is therefore barred...