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Mohammed Sayeed is 'kingpin', says Telgi

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE Dec. 30. The prime accused in the stamp paper scam, Abdul Karim Telgi, today named Mohammed Sayeed, another accused in the racket, as its "kingpin".

Telgi told presspersons after being produced in the Second Fast Track Court here: "I am not the kingpin. Mohammed Sayeed is. I have told everything to the police."

Sayeed was arrested by the Special Investigation Team of Kolkata police on April 28 last year, according to Stamp Paper Investigation Team (STAMPIT) members. He is in the custody of Mumbai police.

The officials said Sayeed was wanted in stamp paper cases registered in Pune and also by the Crime-Branch police. The accused was aged over 50 and was in the business before Telgi. He reportedly specialised in recycling stamps.

According to the team sources, Sayeed and Telgi were lodged in the same cell here.

Asked about the State Government's decision to transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Telgi said he was "happy" about it and was confident that he would get justice. He claimed that Ram Jethmalani would be his lawyer in the Supreme Court.

Telgi said he had provided information about the case and the accused persons to STAMPIT officials but no follow-up action had been taken. With the CBI probing the case, the investigation would be speeded up and the culprits nabbed. Many other arrested persons would be discharged, he said.

Advocate Nanaiah said he would approach the Supreme Court seeking bail for Telgi. About the HIV test report of Telgi, he said a test should be conducted outside the State.

Earlier, the Second Fast Track Court Judge, K. Nagaiah Shetty, transferred all stamp paper cases — three in Bangalore and one in Hubli — to the Special Court. The Judge directed all the accused to appear before the Court on January 19, the date fixed for next hearing.

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