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`Kolkata, a vital link in Telgi empire'

By B.S. Ramesh

BANGALORE, APRIL 29. Even as Abdul Kareem Lala alias Abdul Telgi, the prime accused in the multi-crore fake paper stamp scam, was operating from Mumbai, some of his associates were furthering the sale of fake stamps in eastern India, including Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal and Bihar.

Both the West Bengal police and the Stamp Investigation Team (STAMPIT), which investigated the racket, believed that West Bengal (Kolkata in particular) was a vital element in the "empire" that Telgi and his associates had built up.

Initial investigation had suggested that at least one of Telgi's associates had contacts with people from across the border and that printing presses were located on the Line of Control. However, the printing presses could not be traced.

Analysis of telephone calls made by and to Telgi (while he was in prison) had revealed the network that he had built up along with three other accused, including Ramratan Soni, Mohammad Sayeed and Ashish Kumar Chakrovorthy. While Telgi and Soni operated mainly from Mumbai and looked after the "operation" there, Sayeed and Chakrovorthy were in charge of the operations in east India.

STAMPIT had zeroed in on J.P. Singh of Gaya (Bihar), suspected to be one of the oldest printers of fake stamp papers and suppliers to various parts of the country.

Investigation by STAMPIT and the West Bengal police in Kolkata and surrounding areas had revealed that the proliferation of the philately business in the State had provided an opportunity for Telgi to further the racket. While tracing the links of these four accused to West Bengal, STAMPIT came upon their modus operandi of recycling "gum washed stamps." The recycling of these stamps in Kolkata found its way to Mumbai.

When STAMPIT had doubts that printing presses manufacturing fake stamps were located on and along the border with Bangladesh, they got in touch with the Detective Department of Kolkata and visited Kolkata and other parts of the State in early 2002 and exchanged information with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and intelligence units of West Bengal.

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