BANGALORE: Abdul Kareem Telgi, prime accused in the multi-crore stamp paper racket on Wednesday reiterated that he would give his confessional statement only when he was allowed to come to Bangalore for the purpose.

Appearing before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vasant Kumar, Telgi expressed fears over the possibility of the contents of his confessional statement made by using the videoconference communication network being leaked. Telgi, who is lodged in the Yerawada Central Prison, Pune, has been permitted to make the statement by using the videoconferencing facility.

"I am ready with the confessional statement. But I can only make it if I am called to Bangalore," Telgi told the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate. Then Telgi's advocate M.T. Nanaiah told the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate that a criminal petition seeking the same prayer was pending before the Karnataka High Court. He sought adjournment of the case till the High Court passed an order.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate adjourned the case till July 12. It has been over two years since Telgi has been lodged in the Yerawada Central Prison. It was because of security reasons that the Central Bureau of Investigation, the agency investigating the stamp paper racket, moved Telgi from the Bangalore Central Prison to the Yerawada Central Prison.

He is being produced before the Special Court, trying the cases, in Bangalore through videoconferencing facility since March 2005.

It was on May 26 that the Special Court permitted Telgi to make a confessional statement before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate here by using the videoconferencing facility.

The Special Court observed that the Superintendent of the Yerawada Prison and a technical person may be present along with Telgi when he gave his statement under Section 164 of Criminal Procedure Code.

Meanwhile the Special Court Judge, who had given 15 days for the Metropolitan Magistrate to record the statement, has extended the time by 20 more days.

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