A PROJECT REPORT ON

THE TELGI SCAM

SUBMITTED TO
UNIVERSITY OF MUMBAI

BY
AUGUSTINE DAVID NARHARE
T. Y. B.M.S.

YEAR 2005-2006

THROUGH
TOLANI COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
ANDHERI (EAST), MUMBAI – 400 093
 CERTIFICATE

I, Mr. Raju Chandnani, hereby certify that Mr. Augustine

Narhare of Tolani College of Commerce, T.Y. B.M.S. (Semester V)

has completed his project titled THE TELGI SCAM in the

academic year 2005-2006. The information submitted herein is

true and original to the best of my knowledge.

Mr. Raju Chandnani Dr. A. A. Rashid Dr. Sheela Purohit

(Project Guide) (BMS Co-ordinator) (Principal)
 DECLARATION

I, Augustine Narhare, of Tolani College of Commerce, T.Y.

B.M.S. (Semester V) hereby declare that I have completed my

project titled THE TELGI SCAM in the academic year 2005-2006.

The information submitted herein is true and original to the best of

my knowledge.

Place: MUMBAI Augustine Narhare

Date:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

At the outset I take the privilege to convey my gratitude to those who

have co-operated, supported, helped and suggested me to accomplish

the project work. This project work bear’s imprint, of many persons who

are either directly or indirectly involved in the completion of it.

I am also desirous of placing on record profound indebt ness to my

guide Mr. Raju Chandnani Tolani College of Commerce, Andheri for the

valuable advice, guidance, precious time and support that she offered.
 Table of Contents

Sr. No. Topics Page

No.
1. Introduction 1-2

2. Key Players 3–6

3. Government Reactions 7

4. Time Span 8-9

5. SIT Commission 10 – 12

6. Involvement of CBI 13 - 25

7. Politicians Involved 26 – 29

8. Cases & Evidences against Senior Cops 30– 31

9. History 32 – 37

10. Mystery of the Missing Moolah 38 – 41

11. General Opinions 42 – 44

12. An Interview 45 – 50

13. Conclusion 51
 Introduction

The Telgi stamp scam can be dubbed as the mother of all scams and
many cannot resist saying it happens only in India. Its ramifications run
deep and cover over 12 states with Maharashtra leading the way. It has
left its stamp of shame on the top police brass, politicians and
bureaucrats. Today a number of them, including the ex-police
commissioner of police, Mumbai are languishing in jails along with the
kingpin, and state’s strong man resigned as cries to boot him out
reached a crescendo.

Abdul Karim Lad Saab Telgi’s story is that of the rags to the riches. He
started by selling articles on the Belgaum platform and trains to make
out a living and educated himself and by doing a petty job. He struck
gold when he plunged into printing and selling fake stamps. His
operations lasted for nearly a decade and during this period he was able
to keep the law at bay by bribing the powers that pulled the strings.

He started be doing what has been even impossible to think of. He

penetrated the confines of Indian Government’s Nashik Security Press
where millions of crores worth court stamp papers and printed in
connivance with the top officials. He bought scrap stamp printing
presses in working conditions, installed them in his Mumbai Press and
began printing and selling stamp papers.

What helped and boosted his sales was that by pulling his political
strings he succeeded in getting a stamp vendors license. This enabled
him to sell in bulk to top companies and banks. Soon his growing

1
money power gained him so much clout at Mumbai Stamp Office that for
long periods they feigned shortage of stamps, allowing Telgi’s men to
sell stamps at a premium outside the stamp office.

Today, many are paying the police of their falling prey to Telgi’s bribes
and Telgi to who has amassed a fortune is down with aids and in jail but
this time without the luxuries of a cell phone or hotel stay. Today’s
watch worth is “No Telgi Ghee only butter”

Though the racket had come to light in 1995 those whose duty was to
expose and bring the guilty to booth engaged them in cover-up and
apparently allowed him to run the racket from his cell by providing him
the cell phone.

Finally, it was the patience and perseverance of one man, the

indefatigable Anna Hazare who filled a public interest petition in the high
court. This brought things into the open and exposed the role of police
and politicians and under the court’s order the state government was
forced to set up S.I.T who’s findings have sealed the fate by many top
brass and even made the central government to sit up and take action.

2
 Key Players
Ø Abdul Karim Lad Saab Telgi

In his early forties, is keeping the

police force of at least 19 states on
tenterhooks. The main suspect in
the fake stamp paper racket is a
native of Belgaum district in
Karnataka. He began as a vendor
in a small railway station before
coming to Mumbai.

A meeting with a forger eventually led him to the stamp and stamp
papers business where demand forever exceeded supply. He capitalized
on this by printing duplicates.
No one has determined the extent of his business or the loss to the
exchequer, but it is believed to run into thousands of crores.

Arrested in 2001, Telgi is now behind bars in Karnataka.

Among those who reportedly helped Telgi were several politicians,

policemen and bureaucrats.
Ø Two MLAs - Anil Gote (Dhule, Maharashtra) and Krishna Yadav
(Himayat Nagar, Andhra Pradesh) - have been arrested and charged
under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime
Act.
Apparently, Gote helped Telgi get a stamp vendor's
license using a recommendation from former
Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.
Yadav, it is believed demanded Rs 2 crore to protect
his illegal business.
Though Telgi's business empire was controlled from

3
Mumbai, the Maharashtra government never showed much enthusiasm
to expose or end the racket.

Ø Noted social reformer Anna Hazare filed a PIL in the Bombay high
court to force the state government to act.
Today, the investigation is out of the
hands of the state government and is
monitored by the court. Some believe that
to be reason for the arrest of some very
high profile people.

Ø On the court's orders, retired additional DGP Sukhwinder Singh

Puri was appointed head of the Special Investigation Team
probing the racket, as its then chief, DIG Subodh Jaiswal, was
junior to cops who were under scrutiny.

Known as 'Justice Puri’ in police

circles, Puri enjoys the reputation
of being an upright officer. It was
after he entered the picture that
the accused began emerging from
the shadows. He has shunned the
media glare and steadfastly stuck
to his work.

4
Former Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma is the highest-ranking
officer to be arrested so far. The SIT says he did not maintain absolute
integrity in the investigation into the scam. Even at the time of his
appointment, Sharma was plagued
with allegations of bribing his way
to the top post.
Now the telgi scam has intensified
the conflict between the congress
and the NCP parties, the two leading
partners in the democratic front
government, with chief ministers
Shinde unable to decide the course of action against the Mumbai police
commissioner Ranjeet Sharma for his alleged role in the Rs. 3000 crore
fake stamp paper scam.
Political observers, however, set the DF leaders are desperately hacking
out a face- saving formula, which would seemingly show that the chief
minister has taken decisive action against Sharma and at the same time,
insures not to antagonize bhujbal, who belongs to the NCP.
Already the opposition Shivsena- BJP combine has demanded Bhujbals
resignation accusing him of shielding corrupt police officers involved in
the multi crore stamp. Meanwhile there are indications that a new police
chief in the next few days would replace Sharma. Sources say that
Sharma may be side lined as an additional director general in the state
Police. VN Deshmuk, commissioner of state intellegince department, is
most likely to be the new police chief said a Mantralay offical, “some
officers have begun lobbying with senior politicians in Maharashtra and
New delhi to get elite posting in Mumbai.”
However, Political sources said that the state government would ensure
that a good officer is posted in Mumbai as the image of the city police
has taken a severe drubbing in the past two days.

5
Ø Retired ACP M C Mulani (small pic, left) reportedly demanded a
bribe from Telgi. Despite knowing this, Sharma let him continue in the
team investigating the scam.
Ø IGP Sridhar Vagal is the second highest
ranking officer to be arrested. Among other
things, he reportedly allowed Telgi a free rein
even when he was in police custody. At that time,
Vagal was working under Sharma in Mumbai.

Ø Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal finds himself

in a soup because he had appointed Sharma as Mumbai police chief.
Even at that time, it was known that
Sharma's role in the racket was not
entirely above board.
He has often found himself isolated
where this racket is concerned with
no support forthcoming from his
party, Nationalist Congress Party,
either.
There is no talk of any connection between him and Telgi as yet, but
until Sharma is absolved, Bhujbal will continue to be viewed with
suspicion.

6
 Government Reactions
EX-Finance Minister Jaswant Singh said the value of the fake stamp
papers recovered by various investigative agencies was Rs 3,376
crores.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on a calling

attention motion on the stamp paper scam,
the minister said the agencies had
registered 74 cases in this connection, with
15 against chief accused Abdul Karim Telgi.

Singh said while several figures had been

given out on the value of the scam, they were all speculative. He added
since most of the stamp duties were payable to state governments, the
loss of revenue for the Center had been very little.

He said the government would recognize as genuine all transactions

executed on stamp papers within the country. He said, “There will be no
legal infirmity on any such documents and, if necessary, the
government will introduce a Bill in the House.”

Singh said the new stamp papers with improved security features would
be available across the country by July 2004. The minister said the
government was committed to find a remedy to the problem and said a
number of measures were under way “to eliminate the virus”.

The minister acknowledged that the full contours of the scam were not
visible to him when Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna wrote to him
last year.

But by March 2003, the finance ministry had written to all the chief
ministers asking them to name officials who could be involved in
circulating fake stamp paper.

7
 Time Span

1991: First case registered in fake stamps case. But no action is taken

1993: Abdul Karim Telgi arrested for first time in passport case. Meets
Ramratan Soni in jail who introduces him to fake stamp papers

1995: Telgi breaks with Soni and enters fake stamps market. That year,
seven cases are registered against him but he is not arrested

2001: Karnataka government arrests him. In jail Telgi calls up contacts

on his cellphone, while the police secretly record conversations

January 2003: On January 9, after police get custody of Telgi, DIG

Subodh Jaiswal finds Telgi partying at his Cuffe Parade house with
policemen and not under arrest

March 2003: SIT of Pune police submits report on irregularities in the

case to Maharashtra home
ministry

Sept 4, 2003: Social

activist Anna Hazare files
PIL in High Court

Sept 6, 2003: C Krishna

Yadav, TDP MLA is
arrested

Nov 7, 2003: Jt CP Sridhar

Vaghal arrested

8
Nov 13, 2003: RS Sharma goes on leave

Dec 06, 2003: I am ready for lie detector tests, says Telgi
Sharma remanded to judicial custody on SIT's plea

9
 S.I.T. Commission chosen for the racket

In a major breakthrough in the multi-crore fake stamp papers scam,

three police officials were arrested in Maharashtra.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Gokul Bhagaji Patil of the state

intelligence, Inspector Vashist Andale of the Sahar airport crime branch
unit and Sub-inspector Prabhakar Kakade of the Nalasopara police
station were arrested under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of
Organised Crime Act, a senior police officer said.

All three have been taken to the Special Investigation Team's

headquarters at Pune and will be produced before the special MCOCA
Court there on Sunday morning, SIT sources said.

Next day the Special Investigating Team arrested Samajwadi Janata

Party legislator from Dhule Anil alias Anna Gote in Pune in connection
with the multicrore stamp paper racket that rocked Maharashtra.

The Special Investigation Team questioned senior police officials,

including Sawant and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ramakant
Paudwal, regarding the scam.

When the Mumbai police managed to get custody of Telgi, they took him
to his house in Cuffe Parade instead of the crime branch headquarters.
That is where the special investigating officer, Deputy Inspector General
Subodh Jaiswal, found Telgi and the policemen partying. The
commission also passed strictures against Mumbai Police
Commissioner R S Sharma.

Recently Jaiswal had visited the head of Mumbai crime branch Joint
Commissioner of Police Dr Satyapal Singh. There was speculation that

10
Jaiswal had met Singh to apprise him of the findings of the commission
regarding Sawant.

But Singh, who refused to say what the meeting was all about, had said,
"Jaiswal is a long term friend and there is nothing new in meeting him."

The police action came after the Special Investigation Team (SIT),
constituted to probe the scam, wrote to the Mumbai police requesting
cancellation of the lodge's licence, police sources said on Wednesday.

The SIT has urged the special MCOCA court in Pune to attach this
property along with nearly half a dozen others that belong to Telgi.

The SIT suspects Telgi purchased the lodge from the scam money. It
has evidence that he had visited the lodge to collect money when he
was in the custody of the Mumbai police, allegedly accompanied by
Crime Branch officials, sources said.

Though the SIT had brought this to the notice of a senior Crime Branch
official, no action was taken against the erring policemen.

Interestingly, the Crime Branch officers had also taken Telgi to his Cuffe
Parade apartment in January 2003. SIT chief Subodh Jaiswal and
Karnataka Additional DGP Sree Kumar had raided the place and arrested
Telgi.

The SIT has sealed some of his properties in Mumbai: Cuffe Parade
apartment, a flat at Shirin Manzil, an apartment in Sunny House and a
duplex at Mathuradas Estate. The SIT suspects Telgi has a stake in
Thane Polyorganics, an industrial unit. It has sealed but not attached the
property.

The SIT, sources said, has recently recorded the statement of one more
Crime Branch official. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan

11
Bhujbal said the arrest of senior IPS official Shridhar Wagal in
connection with the fake stamp paper racket would not affect the morale
of the police.

Wagal was the seniormost police officer to be arrested in connection

with the fake stamp paper scam. Bhujbal, who also headed the home
ministry, said it was for the courts to decide whether Wagal is guilty or
not.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the multi-crore scam has
been given full freedom and action would be initiated against those
guilty, he told reporters at Mantralaya in Mumbai.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau helped the SIT in conducting the operation,

a senior state police official told PTI. The raids started immediately after
Wagal's arrest.
The Special Investigating Team arrested Deputy Commissioner of Police
Pradeep Sawant in connection with the fake stamp paper racket. Sawant
was a highly decorated officer of the Mumbai police.

The arrest followed an over five-hour interrogation at the SIT's Worli

office.

Sawant was accused of going soft on Abdul Karim Telgi when the latter
was in custody of the Mumbai police between November 2002 and
January 2003 for 85 days. At that time, he was a Deputy Commissioner
of Police in the Crime Branch of the Mumbai police.

The Special Investigation Team probing the stamp paper scam has
summoned former Maharashtra deputy chief minister Chhagan
Bhujbal's nephew Sameer and private secretary S K Bankar. SIT chief S
S Puri would personally question the two, who have been asked to
report at SIT's office in Worli, Mumbai, sources said.

12
 Involvement of CBI

SIT hands over stamp scam cases to CBI

April 13, 2004 20:13 IST

After handing over the last document to the CBI, the probe by the
Special Investigating Team into the fake stamps scam formally came to
an end.

"The SIT ceases to exist today," an SIT official said in Mumbai.

Officials of the SIT handed over documents to a CBI team at Pune while
the Mumbai SIT has already completed this task. The SIT's action came
following a Supreme Court directive in mid-March.

SIT chief and retired DGP S S Puri had handed over the documents in
his possession to the CBI in March while DIGs Sanjay Barwe, Hemant
Nagarale and Subodh Jaiswal handed over cases in their charge to the
CBI.

The SIT began in September 2002 with DIG Subodh Jaiswal as its head.
Eventually, acting on a PIL, the Bombay high court appointed retired
DGP S S Puri as SIT chief and the subsequent probe led to the arrest of
over 70 prominent persons, including former Mumbai police
commissioner R S Sharma.

13
CBI to interrogate all stamp accused in jail
April 22, 2004 00:45 IST

A Special Court in Pune granted permission to the Central Bureau of

Investigation (CBI) to interrogate all the 65 accused, who were lodged in
the Yerwada Jail of Pune, in connection with the fake stamp paper
racket.

The CBI, which took over the investigation from the Special
Investigation Team (SIT) following a Supreme Court directive, had
moved an application before Special Judge S M Shembole seeking
permission to interrogate the accused.

In a related development, a total of 33 accused filed an application

before the District Judge for changing the judge conducting the trial.
They include Azim Telgi, brother of prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi.
The accused want Special Judge S M Shembole to be replaced.

In a related development, the magisterial custody of 39 accused,

including former Mumbai police commissioner R S Sharma, Joint
Commissioner Sridhar Vagal, Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Sawant
and others, have been extended to May 20,2004. They were produced
before the court on expiry of their magisterial custody.

Meanwhile, Raja Thakre, who was the special prosecutor of SIT, filed his
papers in the court as CBI prosecutor.

14
Stamp scam: SC gives CBI 3 months
August 09, 2004 16:12 IST

Five months after the probe into the Rs 30,000 crore stamp paper scam
was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Supreme
Court asked the agency to complete the investigations in three months.

The order came from a Bench comprising Justice S B Sinha and Justice
S H Kapadia when the CBI filed a status report before them.

The voluminous status report details the agency's probe into the 48
stamp scam cases, of which 23 were registered in Maharashtra.

The report also talks about the prima facie evidence collected by the
agency relating to the role of high officials and politicians, whose
patronage was allegedly enjoyed by the main accused, Abdul Karim
Telgi.

The CBI report also mentions details of interrogation of several persons,

including former Karnataka minister Roshan Beigh; former Maharashtra
deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal's personal secretary; and former
director general (establishments) of the Maharashtra police.

On March 15, 2004 the Supreme Court had made it clear that no other
high court of the country would entertain any petition pertaining to the
48 cases transferred to the CBI.

15
CBI charge sheets Telgi in stamp paper scam
August 10, 2004 20:39 IST

The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a charge sheet against

Abdul Karim Telgi, main accused in the Rs 30,000 crore stamp paper
scam, for allegedly running a fake stamp paper racket, estimated at Rs
212 crore, in the national capital.

This is just one among a series of charge sheets filed against Telgi for
his involvement in the scam that appears to be spread across several
states. The CBI is investigating into 48 such cases.

The CBI filed the charge sheet relating to Telgi's Delhi operations on
Monday before Metropolitan Magistrate V K Khanna detailing the manner
in which he used to visit the capital off and on to further the circulation
of fake stamp paper and collect proceeds from the sale thereof.

The Delhi police had registered a case in the Hauz Khas police station in
October 2003 after it stumbled on the racket dealing in fake judicial and
non-judicial stamp papers. It had arrested seven persons in this
connection. Investigation of the case was later transferred to the CBI.

The agency claimed to have found entries of counterfeit stamps

supplied by Telgi to his aides in Delhi in his laptop. This laptop was
recovered by a Special Investigation Team, which probed another case
registered against Telgi in Pune.

16
HC grants bail to Wagal
August 30, 2004 21:10 IST

The Bombay high court granted bail on medical grounds to former

special inspector general of police Sridhar Wagal, arrested for his
alleged complicity in the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam.

Justice D G Deshpande granted bail to Wagal for four weeks.

Wagal was the second top-ranking Maharashtra police officer to secure

bail in the case. Earlier, ACP Pradeep Sawant had secured bail from the
high court.

Wagal was admitted to the Nanavati Hospital, where he was scheduled

to undergo surgery.

Wagal was arrested in October 2003 under the Maharashtra Control of

Organised Crime Act. He was accused of
shielding Abdul Karim Telgi, the prime accused in the stamp paper
scam.

The CBI has alleged that Wagal collected large sums of money from
Telgi through assistant police inspector Dilip Kamath.

17
Jailed Telgi aide dead
September 30, 2004 14:21 IST
Last Updated: September 30, 2004 14:38 IST

Abdul Mujahid, a key aide of Abdul Karim Telgi, the prime accused in the
multi-crore fake stamp paper scam, died in Indore, Madhya Pradesh,
senior prison officer S S Chouhan said.

Mujahid (70), who was lodged in the Indore district jail, complained of
uneasiness and was referred to hospital. He died before reaching there,
the jail officer said.

Mujahid had established Telgi's network in Indore and Malwa under the
name Malwa Enterprises, the police said. He was arrested and brought
to Indore from Mumbai by the Central Bureau of Investigation on July 5
and sent to the district jail.

Mujahid belongs to Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and was appointed by

Telgi as his front man in the region, the police said.

18
Fake stamp scam: CBI raids 5 cops
October 08, 2004 14:24 IST

The Central Bureau of Investigation raided the residences of five police

officers of Maharashtra at Mumbai, Thane and Nashik in connection with
the fake stamp paper scam.

The investigating agency raided the residence of Senior Inspector D K

Ghule at Panvel, Sub-Inspector H M Vichare of Mumbai Crime Branch,
Inspector Anil Deshmukh of Nashik city and Sub-Inspector R M Powar at
Ambad in Nashik district, CBI sources said.

19
Stamp paper scam kingpin in Kolkata: Telgi
October 31, 2004 00:53 IST

Prime accused in the fake stamp paper scam Abdul Karim Telgi gave a
signed statement to his lawyer Harshad Nimbalkar in the special MCOCA
court premises in Pune, stating that the kingpin in the case was not him
but a businessman from Kolkata.

"In his statement, Telgi claimed that he was just a tool while the kingpin
of the whole racket was Mohammed Sayeed Mohammed Yasin, who was
involved in printing and sale of fake stamp papers," Nimbalkar told
reporters later.

Telgi has also claimed that he has received a threat to his life from one
of the co-accused in the Yerawada Jail in Pune, his lawyer said.

Besides, he has also said that cash and stamp papers have been stolen
from the premises belonging to him and he has informed about this to
the CBI.

Telgi was brought to Special MCOCA court earlier in the day in

connection with his plea for a fresh narco-analysis test and brain
mapping alleging that the earlier one was 'false and fabricated'.
The court has rejected his plea.

20
Ex-Mumbai police chief gets interim bail
November 04, 2004 14:05 IST

The Supreme Court granted bail to former Mumbai police commissioner

R S Sharma, who was arrested for his alleged involvement in the fake
stamp paper scam.

A bench comprising Justice N Santosh Hegde and Justice S B Sinha

accepted Sharma's application but after imposing stringent conditions -
bond of Rs 50,000 along with two sureties of the like amount.

Sharma was granted interim bail till the first week of December when his
application for regular bail will be taken up for hearing.

The apex Court ordered him to deposit his passport with authorities, not
make an attempt to contact any witness and not leave Pune without the
permission of the court. Pune is his original place of residence.

He has to co-operate with the investigation as and when required.

21
Only one Telgi property sold
February 16, 2005 13:52 IST
Last Updated: February 16, 2005 18:49 IST

Only one of the three properties of Abdul Karim Telgi -- the prime
accused in the fake stamp-paper racket -- that were up for auction in
Bangalore was sold.

S Palani, tax recovery officer, Central Range-I, said Mac Charles Pvt Ltd,
a concern of Le Meridian Hotels, bought the Green Halgh building on
Palace Road at a reserve price of Rs 1.43 crore.

Two other properties -- Azad Point, with a reserve price of Rs 2.71 crore
and Corporation building number 100, with a reserve price of Rs 2.42
crore -- found no bidders.

The I-T department had decided to auction the properties to recover tax
arrears of Rs 11.85 crore from 1996 to 2003 -- tax, fine and penalty -- due
from Telgi.

Telgi has disputed it and claims he owes only Rs 2.36 crore.

22
Charges against Telgi on March 23
March 17, 2005 17:39 IST

A special court hearing the 1995 fake stamp paper case has
deferred framing of charges against prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi
and his two associates to March 23.

Judge U D Salvi deferred the framing of charges as Telgi's lawyer

Jaydeep Thakker sought time.

Telgi was not produced before the Central Bureau of Investigation court,
but the judge, through video conferencing, instructed the
superintendent of Yerwada prison in Pune to ensure that Telgi
be presented on March 23.

The judge also told the jailor to allow Telgi's lawyer to meet his client in
jail for two hours on any working day.

Prosecution submitted the draft charges to be framed against the

accused under the Indian Penal Code and Stamp Act on Thursday.

The court will decide on framing charges against Telgi and his two
associates Ramratan Soni and Sanjay Gaikwad for their alleged
complicity in the fake currency racket registered by M R A Marg police
station in 1995.

All three are charged with circulating counterfeit stamp papers in the
market.

M R A Marg police had seized fake stamp papers from Telgi's aides in
1995 and registered a case against the trio.

23
Telgi: Special court frames charges
April 04, 2005 19:00 IST
Last Updated: April 04, 2005 21:36 IST

A special Central Bureau of Investigation court framed charges against

stamp scam prime accused Abdul Karim Telgi and his associate Sanjay
Gaekwad in a case registered in 1995.

The court framed various charges including sections 120 (B), 255, 256,
258, 259, 263 and 420 read with 511 of the Indian Penal Code, besides
section 63 of the Bombay Stamp Act.

These sections pertain to conspiracy, counterfeiting government

stamps, possessing fake stamps, selling counterfeit stamps and
cheating.

Judge U D Salvi, however, granted them 15 days to move the Bombay

high court for filing an appeal against the order.
Both, along with their associate Ramratan Soni, are facing charges of
circulating fake stamp papers in the market.

24
CBI says investigations in stamp paper scam are over
December 05, 2005 21:31 IST

The Central Bureau of Investigation informed a Delhi court that

investigation into the multi-crore fake stamp paper scam case involving
Abdul Karim Telgi is over.

The public prosecutor appearing for the CBI communicated the

development to Metropolitan Magistrate S S Rathi that the agency has
completed its probe in a fake stamp case, which was lodged by Delhi
police in 2001 and later transferred to it.

A third supplementary chargesheet in the case against Telgi and 15

others was filed by the CBI on July 22 and, as per the agency sources,
the final chargesheet will be filed shortly. Telgi is presently lodged in
Yerawada jail in Pune.

Meanwhile, the magistrate extended the remand of Pramod Jhanvekar,

Laxaman Maruti, Khadar Shah Mohammed Yousuf Singoti and Telgi,
who appeared through video-conferencing held at Karkardooma courts,
till December 12.

The Delhi police in 2001 had recovered fake stamp papers worth Rs 61
lakh from the possession of a key Telgi aide, Sohail Khan, in Delhi's
Daryaganj area.

The other 12 accused who were lodged in Tihar jail were - Sohail,
Mansoor Ahmed, Deepak Bhosele, Ramneek Kanwar Dheeraj Kanwar,
Amit Kumar, Sanjay Raina, Devinder Mahajan, Abdul Hafiz, Jai
Manchanda, Lalit Patodi and Shyam Sunder Pataudi. Three other
accused in the case - Muzahid, Wasm Shah and Ajay Grover – were still
absconding.

25
Who are the politicians involved in Telgi scam?

Author: N. P. Phadnis
Publication: Free Press Journal
Date: November 25, 2003

As expected the CBI has taken over investigations into the multi-crore
fake stamp scam, which is spread to almost entire country except
Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Political considerations played heavily
when two major states where the scam originated opposed the proposal
to hand over the investigations to the CBI. It was just a matter of time
before the CBI took over the investigations of a chain of operations
spread over last decade. However, Maharashtra chief minister
Sushilkumar Shinde and deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal
strongly opposed handing over the investigation to the CBI claiming that
the BJP would use it against the Congress and the NCP.

Karnataka chief minister S.M. Krishna also supported the move to

oppose the CBI and the Congress high command also aired similar
views not realizing that they were falling into the trap. Unfortunately the
political leadership of both these states failed to understand the gravity
of the situation and the reach of the culprits involved in the fake stamp
scam. It was not merely the question of how much money Abdul Karim
Telgi and his henchmen made and how much loot they shared with
police officers, security press officials, politicians and others to cover
up their misdeeds.

It now appears that more than the BJP leadership which was obviously
curious to know what exactly transpired and how it was executed and
who were involved in cover-up operations, it was the central agencies,
which were clearly disturbed over the developments. The tapes
reluctantly handed over by the Karnataka police to Maharashtra police at
the instance of the Mumbai high court throws light on how a well oiled

26
network of operatives controlled by Telgi could influence the state
government, the Nashik security press, police and politicians.

It was not merely the case of a few intelligent people joining hands to
make a fast buck by producing fake stamp papers but the money
generated played havoc with the system. The question most of the
Central agencies asked each other was where the money is supposed to
be to the tune of Rs 39,000 crores gone. Obviously, this kind of money is
not used for any charitable work or for any developmental work but will
be used decisively for subversion which poses a threat to the national
security. Part of this money is supposed to have been used for recent
bomb blasts and there appears to be a link between Telgi's network and
the terrorists' outfit.

This presents a horrible picture. Just imagine, top police officials on the
Telgi's list of beneficiaries, could be used without any impunity to cover
up other acts of sabotage and terrorism. Even before the case is handed
over formally by the Central government to the Central Bureau of
investigation, top sleuths of these agencies were already on job
gathering more information on the scam. The worst fear of the CBI and
other intelligence agencies is the possibility of a link between the Indian
underworld based in Dubai and the fake stamp paper scam.

CBI director P C Sharma minced no words when he announced that the

agency was looking into the ramifications of the scandal from the
national security angle as the money involved in the scam could be
much more than the Rs 39,000 crore already estimated. A fruit vendor
from Khanapur village in Karnataka cannot rise to such a level without
outside help. He has been indulging in small time operations of fake
stamp till 1995, but later he got really organised in a big way with the
assistance from outside agencies. When it comes to finding out links
between Telgi and the terrorists outfit, the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
comes into the picture. As far as laundering of such huge funds is
concerned, obviously the Directorate of Enforcement comes into and

27
with this backdrop; there was actually no case for either the
Maharashtra or the Karnataka government to oppose CBI investigations.
Shinde has accepted the CBI role but felt that early approval might have
further demoralized the police officers that were involved in the
meticulous job of investigating the Telgi case. It is just a matter of days
now that the CBI takes over the entire case as the agency has already
registered three cases in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat. The
Congress leadership in Maharashtra as well as Karnataka was
apprehensive about the role of the CBI at the initial stages as it felt that
with the five states going to polls by this month end, the CBI might
initiate action against some major functionaries of the party.

The Congress high command also approved the stand initially, which
was also supported by Pawar- led NCP. However, when Pawar realized
the futility of the stand, he quickly shifted his stand and announced his
willingness to hand over the entire investigation to the CBI. He was
convinced that the state alone is not at all in a position to take on such a
gigantic operation of unearthing the real nature of Telgi scam.

In fact a few top Congress leaders had warned against such a rigid
stand but they were ignored. When they were given a chance to present
their viewpoint it was too late as by then Pawar had already taken a U-
turn. They had suggested that instead of handing over the investigation
to the CBI, a special task force of Central agencies including CBI, IB,
RAW, revenue intelligence, state police should be set up for better
coordination and investigation into the scam. Ultimately the party has to
take into consideration the political impact of the investigation and at
the same time could not avoid its responsibility in cooperating with the
Central agencies.

So far the Special Investigation Team has arrested and interrogated top
police officials who took money from Telgi and his accomplices to
ignore fake stamp cases or provide him shelter. However, so far there is
no mention of names of politicians. It is common knowledge that unless

28
there is support from the political establishment, it is not possible either
for the police or for the Telgi network to work without any impunity. The
question now discussed in political circles is “Who are the politicians
behind providing protection to Telgi?”

Two MLAs, one from Maharashtra and another from Karnataka are
already behind bars and they are being investigated by SIT. The tapes
with the SIT will now provide the real evidence against the politicians
who were really in touch with Telgi. The Karnataka police have done a
wonderful job by taping Telgi's conversations with his operators as well
as all those officers and politicians who helped him. These
conversations were recorded when Telgi was languishing in Karnataka
jail. Neither he nor those who talked to him were aware that they were
being watched.

Now these tapes and voices on these tapes will decide the fate of many
small and big political leaders. It will not be possible for anyone whether
in state government or Central agencies to shield anyone. With the CBI
taking over investigations, the Central government as well as the state
governments will be aware of who are the real culprits. With so much of
evidence, which will be later corroborated by income tax and other
agencies, no one should be able to get off the noose. Involved
politicians from Maharashtra are worried about Telgi tapes.

29
 Cases and evidences against senior cops

R S Sharma
Nine cases lapses reported by the SIT. Sharma should seek solace in
the fact that the SIT does not have anything on record, which indicts
Sharma of pecuniary advantage.

Sharma is heavily censured for being supportive of ACP C Mulani and

dismissive of additional commissioner, S Mushrif, hinting at weak
supervision of the case.

Certain confessions of accused and statement of witnesses against

Sharma have influenced SIT’s viewpoint towards Sharma.

Sridhar Vagal
Strong evidence of pecuniary advantage to the tune of Rs 76 lakh.
Damning confessions from his subordinates like Dilip Kamat, Dattatray
Dhal and Vashist Andhale.

Recorded evidence of showing ‘extreme interest’ in the case beyond

brief. For instance, Vagal got all five cases registered by various police
stations to the Crime Branch Unit V through an order passed under his
signature.

An order that could have been passed by an officer of the rank of an

ACP was emphatically executed by the joint commissioner. Obviously, it
was done to gain bargaining power with Telgi.

The seizure of Rs 837 crore fake stamp paper should have been
transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and not the DCB unit.

30
Pradip Sawant
Once again, the SIT does not have anything on record that indicts
Sawant as having gained pecuniary advantage in the case. However,
there are other issues that project him in critical manner: Sawant was
negligent in the investigation of the fake stamp case on the pretext of it
not being the crime branch’s priority.

Sawant was ignorant of his officers like Kamat, Dhal and Andhale’s
dubious dealings and leniency towards Telgi while he was in the crime
branch custody.

No further progress in the investigation was made in the Rs 837 crore

fake stamp seizure case despite it happening on January 11, 2003.

31
 HISTORY

Royal treatment for Telgi

Abdul Karim Telgi, the prime accused in the multi- crore fake stamp
paper scam, had received Luxurious treatment while in custody of
Mumbai crime branch between November 2002 and January 2003,
sources in the Special Investigating Team (S.I.T) stated.

Instead of lodging him in the crime branch lock-up, the police had put
him up in hotel Apsara in Kurla for nearly 30 days. S.I.T sources alleged
that Telgi was accorded royal treatment and provided with comforts of
an air conditioned room and other luxuries.

An S.I.T officer stated, Telgi was brought to Mumbai in November 2002

on a transfer warrant in a murder case registered against him at Cuffe
Parade Police Station. Strangely this case was transferred from Cuffe
Parade Police Station to Dharavi unit of crime branch. Two officers from
this unit, namely Dattatrey Dhal and Dilip Kamat were already familiar
with Telgi.

Kamat was earlier posted at the Colaba Police Station where a case was
registered against Telgi in 1995, but the latter managed to bribe officers
and go scot free. When Telgi was brought to Dharavi Crime Branch in
November 2002, Kamat and Dhal showed him as an accused in seven
offences of fake stamp papers, Although the sought Telgis Police
custody, the latter was not kept in a lock-up the S.I,T officers said.

The two officers also did precious little to investigate the seven cases.
Instead the took bribes from Telgi to arrange an ac room for him in
Hotel Apsara in Kurla, the officer said. The hotel authorities were
unavailable for comment.

32
Kamat and Dhal were booked by the S.I.T have now been booked under
the aiding and and abetting Telgi in the scam.

Sources said the the officers had not kept any records about Telgis Stay
at the hotel they also did not make any record in the dairy entry at the
crime branch office about Telgis visit to the Hotel. The Sit has, however,
come across certain evidence which shows that Telgi had enjoyed the
comforts in the hotel while in Police custody. It is learnt that SIT has
seized records from motor transport department, whose vehicle had
escorted Telgi and the Police man to the hotel The S.I.T has also
questioned a few witness in this connection.

A crime branch official in Mumbai confirmed that Telgi was put up in at a

hotel during custody, it was wrong and illegal he said.

What came as a surprise to the S.I.T was that Dhal and Kamat were
favouring Telgi allegedly at the behest of a senior police officer from the
crime branch. This officer was still to be questioned in the case. He was
also likely to face arrest in the scam.

33
Abdul Karim Telgi Ki Ajeeb Dastaan.

• “Lala” Telgi’s Code name was the son of a Class 4 employee in

the railways. After his father’s death, he picked fruits from the
forest and sold them at the Khanapur station. He and his brothers
studied at the local Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, an English-Medium
School. He completed his B.Com from a Belgaum college before
moving to Saudi Arabia. Came to Mumbai after seven years in
Saudi Arabia and worked as a travel agent. Later he worked in a
Colaba guest house. Around this time he developed underworld
links.

• Arrested in 1991by Mumbai police for cheating learnt the tricks of

the trade from an expert forger in prison. He bribed his way out of
the jail and bided this time. In 1994, he acquired a stamp paper
license, set up at Mint Road and ‘befriended’ people in the
revenue ministry, stamp office and Nashik Security Press where
stamp papers are printed.

• He used his political connections to get the machinery at the

Nashik press declared as ‘junk’; brought it as the highest bidder;
set up the machinery at his office in Mumbai.

• Obtained the original die for printing in connivance with Nashik

security officials and began printing Fake Stamp Papers. His
excellent political connections to procure imported paper.

• “Friends” at the Nashik press informed him about the serial

numbers of papers being published during the month. Telgi’s
Fakes carried the same numbers and reached the Mumbai
markets

34
• The Fakes were then distributed to authorized members and sold
along with genuine ones. Telgi bribed officials to create a
shortage in the supply of stamp papers.

• He appointed 300 people, including M.B.A.’s as agents who sold

the fake to bulk purchasers: banks, FIs, insurance companies,
Share broking firms. His monthly earnings were 100 crores.

• Several cases against him in the 90’s.Was denied bail but not
arrested. Finally arrested in August 2001, after he’d made crores
in the business spanning 72 centers in 12 states over 10 years.

35
Printer’s Devil.

The Swindler’s Story began when Abdul Karim Telgi started printing and
distributing fake stamp papers in Mumbai in 1995. He bought a second
hand printing machine from the Nashik Security Press at an auction. He
then reportedly stole original dies used for manufacturing stamps and
stamp papers. His excellent political connections helped him procure
imported paper and organized that his fakes couldn’t be distinguished
from the originals. This printing and sales of fake stamp duty paper
spread losses worth crores of rupees to the Indian government.

The fake stamp papers were then sold in the market through Telgi’s
distribution agents – most of these agents included several authorized
stamp vendors. Telgi paid hefty commissions to buy their silence. As a
result nobody leaked information about the racket to the enforcement
authorities. He bought politicians too. These politicians, who were on
Telgi’s regular payroll deliberately created a shortage in supply of stamp
papers in Mumbai. It was then that Telgi’s marketing agents sold the
fakes for a premium outside the government stamp office in fort area.

When finally the Mumbai police got wind of the scam and registered
cases against telgi at 12 police stations, telgi simply bribed his way out
of the hole he suddenly found himself in. He managed to escape from
Mumbai despite the court rejecting is bail application. The Bangalore
police suddenly arrested him in Ajmer in august 2000. By then his scam
had spread across 12 states.

Telgi’s organized racket had the connivance of officials from the Nashik
Security Press, IAS and IPS officers, lawyers, MLA’s, cabinet ministers
and even former state minister.

36
The 1st Arrest

Andhra Pradesh police first unearthed the stamp paper scam way back
in 1999. They even arrested Telgi who managed to secure bail within a
week with the connivance of some city police officers. The case was
handed over to the CID for further probe, which failed to file a charge
sheet even after a 4-year investigation.

People almost forgot the case until the Maharashtra Police arrested TDP
legislator C.Krishna Yadav in September, 2003. Yadav reportedly
demanded Rs 2 crores from Telgi as protection money. Yadav was in
Pune jail. The Andhra Pradesh also set up S.I.T to probe the scam but
the team made little headway.

37
 Mystery of the missing Moolah
By: S Hussain Zaidi
November 16, 2003

The fake stamp scam, pegged at anything between Rs 2,200 to Rs 67,000

crore, fails to substantiate the inflated figures associated with it. Experts
say these figures have been estimated on the basis of the 18 states
expected to be in the grip of the scam.

The figure approximates the extent of circulation of fake documents into

these states thus pushing the figures to an appalling magnitude.

However, simple mathematics of permutation and combination defies

the logic of the sum total submitted, to describe the swindle. According
to a senior crime branch officer, when a sharpshooter is arrested for
murder, the first thing recovered is the weapon used to shoot the victim.

Similarly, when a gang of robbers is busted, booty recovery is top

priority. But in Telgi’s case the question is, where is the money?

The officer further says that as per the SIT records, Telgi allegedly
owned 11 plush properties including shops and flats in south Mumbai, a
couple of apartments in the suburbs and several properties in Pune.
Even if we estimate that each of these properties is worth Rs three
crore, the amount is not more than Rs 50 crore.

It is being widely assumed that Telgi distributed largesse of Rs 50 crore

to several ministers and policemen, though Rs 76 lakh is the highest
amount of bribe that Telgi shelled out for a senior crime branch officer.

Even then, the total amount of scam does not cross Rs 100 crore, adds
the officer.

38
“Where has the money gone?” asks an officer of the rank of a Deputy
Inspector General (DIG). So far the SIT has not attached or seized
properties or wealth worth even Rs 300 crore leave alone Rs 30,000
crore. Besides Telgi’s properties, the sleuths have sealed the properties
of police officers like Dilip Kamath and Vashist Andhale because they
seem disproportionate to their income.

However, these seizures are not even a fraction of the total amount
swindled. According to senior officers in the Central Bureau of
Investigations (CBI) who are already investigating fake stamp rackets in
at least three states, if Telgi had managed to generate this kind of
money, he would have had it laundered abroad and started preparing to
leave the country.

But the way in which he remained hooked to his original business and
insisted on expanding his business showed that he was not working
alone. In fact, Telgi managed to establish ‘a parallel economy’ on the
sheer strength of his clout and contacts. And the money he minted was
not massive but enough to support his opulent lifestyle and that of his
aides.

Senior police officers in Mumbai police maintain that though the SIT has
arrested the brawns (Telgi and his tribe of conniving cops) behind the
scam, they are yet to bust the brains (who are running Telgi). Telgi may
be the kingpin of the scam but he is not the one who calls the shots,
they say.

Telgi is likely to be just the front man for a cabal working anonymously,
and making conditions favourable for the smooth functioning of his
racket. This cabal comprises of some resourceful politicians and shrewd
bureaucrats.

The way Telgi walked over top politicians be it the promotion of Ganga
Prakash, in Central Press at Nashik, through recommendations of

39
former law minister Ram Jethmalani. Obtaining favours through former
chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh or using the services of Samajwadi
Janata Party member of Legislative Assembly, Anil Gote and managing
to buy the discarded equipments of Nashik press.

Even in the neighbouring state, Telgi had benign helpers like former
labour minister of Andhra Pradesh, Krishna Yadav. This networking also
helped him become aware of highly classified production programmes
of the Security Press at Nashik, which are not known to even top
ministers in the state or the Central Cabinet.

There are also instances where when some people threatened to upset
the applecart, they were conveniently eliminated. For example, the
disappearance and elimination of three witnesses in the Telgi case
including Anand, Poojary and Amir Khan Choudhary recently. Earlier,
Telgi’s aide, John Bhatti, was found dead under similarly mysterious
circumstances.

The biggest question that remains unanswered is how did Telgi manage
to keep politicians and ministers from all parties at his beck and call?
This included ministers from Congress and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP)
and bureaucrats from the Shiv Sena regime.

This clearly indicates that Telgi had a godfather who covertly helped him
grease palms of politicians and policemen as and when required. Not to
mention providing intelligence to Telgi and solutions to silence people
who tried to hamper operations. “We are trying to explore all the angles
in the investigations ruling out nothing. We shall disclose everything at
the appropriate time,” said a senior officer at SIT.

Currently, the SIT investigations are aimed at exposing two kinds of

accomplices Telgi had in uniform — those who collaborated with him to
gain pecuniary advantages and those whose dereliction of supervision
proved expedient to Telgi.

40
MLA Anil Gote, joint commissioner, Sridhar Vagal, API Dilip Kamath and
PI Vashist Andhale are all officers who allegedly received pay-offs from
Telgi, while the role of Deputy Commissioner of Police Pradip Sawant
and police chief R S Sharma is under the scanner for the latter category.

41
 General Opinions
Lawyers:

Telgi Scam was started in the year 1991 but came into light 1 year ago.
The first case was registered in Pune but no action was taken against
him.

Abdul Karim Ladsab Telgi of Indian origin is booked under the Indian
Penal Code Section 255,256,257,258,259,260 which covers counterfeiting
and the most important Section 256 which involves Making and Selling
Government Documents.

In relevance with the stamp scam the government has forbidden the sale
of such stamps through dealers or private vendors. Now days , Stamp
papers are issued at respective Court counters and Town halls.

Social Reformer ‘Anna Hazare’ exposed the scam and hence it came to
light. The police force is completely demoralized.
The government has made all dealings done through fake stamp papers
‘Legal’.

The lawyers say that this scam has ‘Rocked’ the economy of India and
different States.

42
Police:
We visited the Santacruz Police Station and the Bandra Police Station
and spoke with L.B. Shaikh (I.S.P) and Arun Sarwe (Head Constable).

According to them the scam started in the year 1991 and the main
people involved were Abdul Karim .L. Telgi and everyone who supported
him including all the police and politicians.

They said that stern action was taken by the government by arresting
most of the players who helped Telgi in his multi crore scam.

When asked what the role of the police was and if the Mumbai Police is
still the second best in the world, Inspector Shaikh agreed and replied

“The Maharashtra Police Force has themselves strict action against

their Colleagues and Superiors by arresting them.

Hence this proves that the Maharashtra Police Force is still the second
best as who the defaulter is has to be punished – on this principle the
morale of the police force is high”.

No one, even the police knows where all the money has gone. It seems
as if it has vanished into thin air.

When asked for their comments the said that they should always take
action against the defaulters and put them behind bars.

43
Public:
The general public opinion about the Telgi Scam is that they are least
bothered about the whole scam. The public is outraged as they feel
cheated and they are surprised on the hypes at which corruption can
reach and feel the accused should be punished.

The declaration of the government that all the dealings on the fake scam
paper are valid has enlightened the public to a certain extent.

Whatever little trust the public had on the Police Department has
evaporated after the whole scam came into light.

The anger and the distrust in the hearts of the people against the
government has grown even more after the whole incident.

Overall, the Telgi scam has not affected the public directly so they are
least bothered about what is happening right now.

44
 An Interview

Julio F Ribeiro, one of Mumbai's best-known

police commissioners, was shocked to know
that present city Police Commissioner Ranjit
Singh Sharma was interrogated by a Special
Investigating Team for 14 hours.

In an interview to Associate Editor and Chief Correspondent Syed

Firdaus Ashraf in Mumbai, Ribeiro -- the highly acclaimed director
general of police of Punjab during the worst phase of terrorism in the
state -- says he is ashamed at the state of the Mumbai police today.

What was your reaction on hearing that the Special Investigating

Team interrogated Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma in
the Telgi case?

I feel ashamed and sad that the police force that was so well respected
has come to this situation. The Telgi case has demoralised the Mumbai
police force. I know top police officers in the Mumbai police who have
no enthusiasm left after this case.

I feel that the people of Bombay should sit up and take notice. In my
opinion, the home minister of Maharashtra, Chhagan Bhujbal, has
singlehandedly destroyed the force.

I won't say it was good during the Shiv Sena's time. One Mumbai police
commissioner used to go and touch (Shiv Sena leader) Bal Thackeray's
feevery now and then during his time.

45
 Why has this happened?

This has happened because the political class has manipulated the
police and they in turn are not respecting the rule of law. Policemen are
only respecting political parties and the home minister's order now.

How were things different in your time?

In our time, we had good political leaders and good officers. They were
people of great moral character. You wouldn't find politicians interfering
in police officers' jobs. There was corruption to some extent, there was
always some corruption during the British time too, but that was a
'need-based' corruption. Today there is 'greed-based' corruption.

When you left the police did you ever expect things would go so
badly?

Never, over a period of time the parties who have come to power have
all done these things. Now the situation is very bad.

Why are you targeting Mr Bhujbal in particular?

I have nothing against him. When I meet him I talk to him. I feel he
should not have thrown out good people from top police posts. That was
a stupid decision. I am now worried about the consequences of his
actions. He is supporting wrong people in the police force.

46
 Is the home minister more powerful compared to your time?

There were attempts of political interference in my time but I did not

allow it. When I was transferred I said I won't do the job. So you have to
stand up to the bullies.

Today in the army, if you tell [Chief of Army Staff] General N C Vij that
you promote this brigadier here and there, we will lose all wars. You
should appoint a good commissioner and good director general.
Politicians must not interfere. There are competent people in the police
force and you must let them do their job.

Politicians are not elected to run the police force. Today, politicians
money, power and at the same time want police officers to work for
them.

Are you in touch with the police officers of today? If yes, what do
they tell you?

Yes, I am in touch with them. Many good officers tell me they want to get
out of the police force. Those who don't want to resign go to the
Intelligence Bureau, Research and Analysis Wing or Central Bureau of
Investigation.

Those who want to be in uniform go to the paramilitary like the Central

Reserve Police Force and National Security Guard.

But Mr Bhujbal and the Democratic Front government claim the

crime rate in Mumbai has decreased.

I am not sure of these statistics. They are not always correct. If murders
have come down I would like to see that figure.

47
 Why did you meet the chief minister?

I want the chief minister of Maharashtra to take the home portfolio under
him. If his government is supporting the wrong people I have the right to
inform him about these things.

Do you think if social activist Anna Hazare had not filed public
interest litigation in the Telgi case, things would not have moved
so fast?

Senior police officers would not have been caught if the high court had
not intervened. The Special Investigating Team reports to the home
department. Do you think these people can go against the DG [director
general of police] and commissioner? That is not possible.

How easy is it for people like Telgi to manipulate policemen?

It is very easy. Money speaks.

There was a controversy a few months ago about the post of

Mumbai police commissioner. The media alleged the post was up
for sale. Do you believe that?

This is what the policemen too say. They say that every post has a price.
First, during the Shiv Sena government, I heard a policeman paid Rs 40
lakhs (Rs 4 million) to be in a higher post. I could not believe it. Now
everyone talks about it. Everybody knows how much one has to pay to
be in which post. A sub inspector, an inspector all posts.

Why did this not happen in your time?

We had better political leaders. When I was appointed Babasaheb

Bhosale was the chief minister and Shrikant Jichkar was home
secretary, a very honest man. He never took anything from anyone.

48
 But do you think the post of Mumbai police commissioner is for
sale?

I hope it is not. But I tell you the next time it will not happen. I am not
going to elaborate on my plans.

Don't you feel that the Mumbai police should be proud because it
was successful in eliminating gangsters?

I don't think anybody should be proud of it. I think encounters take place
because the public wants it. Encounters are taking place because the
judicial process is so slow in our country. I have given lectures to
judges. They should not allow adjournments of cases of hardcore
criminals.

Don't you think the Mumbai police is a good police force?

Yes, it is a good police force but they need a great leader to lead them.

Solving the August 25 twin blasts case was an achievement,

wasn't it?

Yes, they have great informants. They take pains to solve the problem.
No big criminal goes scot-free. The Mumbai blasts took place in March
1993 and they had solved the case by April. It took six months for the
New York police to find Ramzi Yousef's name in the World Trade Centre
blast of 1993.

What would you have done if you were Maharashtra's director

general of police today?

I would have not gone to Mantralaya (the state secretariat) very often. I
would have stated that I would not sign the orders to transfer good

49
officers. But I was fortunate to get good politicians. Today there are
vicious people in power.

Now take [Sridhar] Vagal, why was he made joint commissioner?

No one knows. I have written a letter to the director general press
information in Mantralaya to let me know why he was given that post. I
have the right to know this under the Right to Information Act.

Mr. R S Sharma worked under you. How was he at that time?

Many of today's police officers worked for me and all of them worked
very hard. Even Vagal was under me and they were the best. I am
surprised that the same Sharma was called for a 14-hour interrogation. I
could have understood if it was for two hours but 14 hours! I am
shocked.

As a citizen of this city, what do you think the Mumbai police is

not doing?

The duty of the police is to befriend law-abiding citizens. At the moment

there are complaints that they are extorting [money from] people.
Individually no one approaches the police station. This culture has
reached the top level. I feel people should organize themselves in their
own areas to solve issues with the police.

50
 CONCLUSION

I am not the kingpin, claims Abdul Karim Telgi

Seeking to give a new twist, prime accused in the multi-thousand crore

fake stamp paper scam, Abdul Karim Telgi claimed that another accused
Mohammed Sayeed was the "kingpin" of the racket.

"Mohammed Sayeed is the kingpin. I have told everything to the police,"

Telgi told the media as he was whisked away by police after being
produced in a court.

When asked about details regarding Sayeed, head of the Special

Investigation Team (STAMPIT) in Karnataka, and that the man was
arrested by STAMPIT from Kolkata on April 28 last year.

Sayeed was also wanted in stamp paper racket cases registered in Pune
as also by Crime Branch-CID. Currently, he is in the custody of Mumbai
Police.

Sayeed, in his 50s, was in the fake stamp paper business earlier than
Telgi. Sayeed specialized in recycling of stamps.

Telgi also said he is "happy" that the Karnataka Government has

handed over the case to CBI, from which he was confident of getting
"justice". He has claimed that Ram Jethmalani would fight his case in
the Supreme Court.

51
 Bibliography

News Papers
1. Mid-day
2. Times Of India
3. Asian Age

Reports
1. Free Press Journal

Internet
1. www.onlypunjab.com
2. www.chennaionline.com
3. www.dailyexcelsior.com
4. www.hindu.com
5. www.outlookindia.com
6. www.tribuneindia.com
7. www.mid-day.com

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