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SIT takes the easy way out?

By W. Chandrakanth

PUNE Sept. 27. The progress of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the counterfeit stamp paper scandal is "far from satisfactory". Further, it throws up several disturbing questions.

Understandably, the sheer dimension of the scam engulfing 16 States imposes severe constraints on it in pursuing the case to its logical end.

Evidently handicapped by the non-cooperation of the powers that be, the SIT officials are desperate to pin down those already in its net and are hence, separating the prime accused, Abdul Kareem Telgi, from "others" making its job simpler.

In the process, several gaping holes in the investigation have been left unexplored. For instance, questions like what happens to leads like the Chennai connection or the proof that Telgi's operations extended to several parts of Andhra Pradesh will go unanswered.

The prosecution has evidence on Tamil Nadu connections of Telgi who was running four front organisations called Minerva, Milan, Bharat and Sahara Enterprises. But, a question mark hangs over the continuation of SIT investigation to establish the circulation of fake stamps in Tamil Nadu and if so, to what extent. Officials here assert that Telgi had established a large network of agents and that Andhra Pradesh had churned out a high volume business for him. They are, however, tight-lipped when asked about the likelihood of further investigations in the State.

As things stand now, the story seems to be heading towards a pale conclusion with the scam revolving around a small handful of characters -- Anil Gote in Maharashtra, Krishna Yadav in Andhra Pradesh and Waheed in Karnataka besides a few policemen and officials of the India Security Press. Is it possible for a handful of players to dupe the country to the tune of Rs. 32,000 crores across 16 States and over a period of ten years.

Officials maintain a stoic silence on this question. Not so long ago, they were admitting that the crime was more deep rooted than was evident. For the record's sake, they admit that lack of evidence is slowing the pace of the probe. But, off the record, they pose a counter-question: "which Government is willing to come clean and hand over all those involved in the scam for interrogation?"

Yadav to reveal all

Meanwhile, the former Minister and MLA, C. Krishna Yadav, has said " if I get permission for even one day to attend the A. P. Assembly, now in its monsoon session, I will reveal the entire truth". Yadav's bail petition will come up for consideration before MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) Court on Monday.

Talking to The Hindu on Saturday, Yadav, who is presently lodged in Yerawada jail, is incensed at the Telugu Desam leadership for portraying him as a criminal during yesterday's discussion in the Assembly and portraying the party in good light. "They are tarnishing me with the sole motive of shielding others".

"Some of the TDP leaders have amassed fortunes through various means but the party is least bothered about it. It has defended two Ministers, Kodela Sivaprasada Rao and P. Ramasubba Reddy to the hilt but chooses to make insinuations against me without solid proof. Even the SIT does not have much evidence against me", he said.

The lawyers of Krishna Yadav are buoyed by what they call "SIT's failure to find any new evidence to establish their client's links with Telgi". The lone piece of evidence in the form of a taped conversation would in no way conclusively establish the MLA's involvement in the scam. Yadav himself is expecting that the charges to be framed by the SIT might not lead to his trial by the MCOCA Court at all.

CM sends formal

request to PM

<167,1p,1>By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Sept. 27. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, today sent a formal request to the Prime Minister, Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, for entrusting the entire case relating to the fake stamp paper scam to a sitting Judge of the Supreme Court.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Naidu explained that he had announced in the Assembly on Friday that the Centre would be requested to entrust to a sitting Supreme Court judge the entire issue pertaining to printing, circulation and sale of fake stamp papers in view of the national ramifications of the scam.

Mr. Naidu drew his attention to the ongoing investigation by different agencies into the circulation of fake stamps in the country which was reported as early as in 1991.The first case in AP was registered in 1999 and was handed over to the State CB-CID. In view of the wider ramifications of the issue and its multi-State nature, he had requested the CBI in 2001 to investigate the case. But, the agency had not taken up the case so far, he added.

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